Mensajes Para Ciudadanos de EE.UU.

Mexican elections are scheduled for Sunday, June 7. U.S. citizens should avoid all election-related
demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by the
authorities. The Mexican Constitution
prohibits political activities by foreigners; such actions may result in
detention and/or deportation. U.S.
citizens should monitor instructions or statements from the Government of
Mexico for the most up to date information. Demonstrations intended to be
peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Protesters may block traffic on roads,
including major thoroughfares, or take control of toll booths on highways. In some areas, protestors have blocked access
to gas stations, and their presence at airports has caused flights to be
delayed or suspended. U.S. citizens are
urged to avoid areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution if in the
vicinity of any protests. Travelers who
encounter protestors demanding unofficial tolls are generally allowed to pass
upon payment. Travelers are urged not to exit from major highways onto
secondary roads in rural areas.

We strongly recommend that U.S.
citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler
Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.travel.state.gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and
makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you
in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with
the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly
monitor local media for news and official announcements regarding security,
including updates from the Mexican National Electoral Institute, as well as the State Department's website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, including the
Travel Warning for Mexico, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Mexico. For additional
information, refer to the “Traveler’s
Checklist” on the State Department’s website.

Contact
the U.S. Embassy/Consulate for up-to-date information on travel
restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United
States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers
are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
(except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have
travel information at your fingertips.

The
U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is located at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia
Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, D.F. and is open 8:00am to 5:00pm, switchboard
phone number (dialing from the United States) 011-52-555-080-2000, http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_hours.html. If you
are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, please dial the main
switchboard number and ask to speak to an American Citizen Services staff
member for assistance.

Mass demonstrations are currently taking place in Oaxaca,
Mexico. According to press reports, on June 3 protestors entered the
Oaxaca airport, and incoming and outgoing flights have been suspended. In
addition, protestors have reportedly taken control of a gasoline distribution
center and gas stations in Oaxaca, which is currently causing a fuel shortage for
private vehicles. Public transportation has reportedly been suspended due
to the fuel shortage. The Consular Agency in Oaxaca remains open.
For emergencies, U.S. citizens should contact the Embassy switchboard by
calling 01-555-080-2000 and ask for American Citizens Services or the duty officer.

The Embassy/Consulate cautions all U.S. citizens to avoid
protests, and are reminded that even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent.

The Mexican Constitution prohibits
political activities by foreigners; such actions may result in detention and/or
deportation. Travelers should avoid political demonstrations and other
activities that might be deemed political by the Mexican authorities.
Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and
escalate into violence. Demonstrators in Mexico may block traffic on
roads, including major arteries, or take control of toll booths on
highways. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid areas of demonstrations, and
to exercise caution if in the vicinity of any protests.

Review your personal security
plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor
local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance and
take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

We
strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll
in the Department of State’s Smart
Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.travel.state.gov. STEP
enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the
U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If
you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate.

Regularly
monitor the State Department's website, where you can find current Travel Warnings,
including the Travel Warning for Mexico, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide
Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Mexico.
For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist” on the State Department’s website.

Contact
the U.S. Embassy/Consulate for up-to-date information on travel
restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United
States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers
are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
(except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is located at Paseo de la Reforma
305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, D.F. and is open 8:00am to 5:00pm,
switchboard phone number (dialing from the United States) 011-52-555-080-2000, http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_hours.html. If you are a U.S. citizen in need
of urgent assistance, please dial the main switchboard number and ask to speak
to an American Citizen Services staff member for assistance.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and U.S. Consulates
General in Mexico remind U.S. citizens that hurricane season is from May 15 to
November 30 in the Pacific, and from June 1 to November 30 in the
Atlantic. In the coming days, the Department of State will also issue a
Travel Alert to remind U.S. citizens around the world of the upcoming season.

Be Prepared

U.S. citizens planning to visit places that are
vulnerable to hurricanes should be aware of the chance of storms and make a
plan in case of emergency. Even inland areas far from the coast can experience
destructive winds, tornadoes, and floods from tropical storms and hurricanes.
In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane, the Consulate will monitor the
storm and send email messages to U.S. citizens who have enrolled with us. The
Department of State may also issue a Travel Alert or Travel Warning to apprise
the public of the situation.

Please check your passport and those of your family
members to assure that they are still valid. As you may need to travel to the
United States (or elsewhere) on short notice, it is important to have valid
travel documents so that your trip is not unnecessarily delayed. If you plan to
travel to the United States, please also ensure that any non-U.S. citizen
family members also have valid Lawful Permanent Resident cards or U.S. visas or
visit our website at mexico.usembassy.gov for more information on applying for
a visa.

Your Checklist:

Prior to leaving the United States, register your
travel plans on the State Department’s travel enrollment website at https://step.state.gov/step/.

Check with your tour operator, airline, or charter
flight regarding services back to the United States in the event of a
hurricane, and the possibility of early return if a storm is forecasted for
your region.

Activate your U.S. cell phone’s roaming service so
that it works internationally to stay in regular contact with family and
friends and advise them of your whereabouts.

Consider what arrangements you will make for your
pets. Please note that the Mexican authorities and the U.S. government do not
make accommodations for the care or transportation of pets during storm-related
emergencies or evacuations.

Leave a detailed itinerary and your local contact
information with a friend or family member in the United States.

Make two photocopies of the biographic identification
page of your passport, airline tickets, driver’s license, and any credit cards
you plan to take. Leave one copy of each with family or friends at home, and
pack the other copies separately from the originals. You may also wish to scan
these documents and store them electronically, such as on a flash drive or in
an email account. If using traveler’s checks, leave a copy of the serial
numbers of your traveler’s checks with a friend or relative at home.

Monitor local websites for storm-related information.
In the country of Mexico, each state has a civil protection authority, called
“Protección Civil,” that monitors storm progress and gives instructions on
preparations, any need to evacuate coastal areas, etc. For Veracruz
state, for example: http://www.veracruz.gob.mx/proteccioncivil/

Please also visit the following U.S. government
websites for more information:

You have received this email message because you are
enrolled with us. We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to
or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department
of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at travel.state.gov.STEP enrollment gives you the
latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest
U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet
access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Contact
the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information on travel
restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United
States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers
are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
(except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is located at Paseo de
la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, Mexico D.F., 06500 and is open from Monday
through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, except for U.S. and Mexican holidays.
Our telephone number during and outside of business hours is
011-52-555-080-2000.

MENSAJE DE EMERGENCIA PARA CIUDADANOS AMERICANOS

United States Embassy Mexico City. Emergency
Message for U.S. Citizens:Demonstration
at Consular Agency Oaxaca May 14, 2015

A demonstration is currently underway at the U.S. Consular Agency
in Oaxaca, Mexico. Because of the impact on pedestrian and traffic flow
into the consular agency office and the building where it is located, we are
unable to welcome the public to the office for the remainder of the day on May
14, 2015. For emergencies, U.S. citizens should contact the Embassy
switchboard by calling 01-555-080-2000 and ask for American Citizens
Services. The protest is expected to be peaceful. As always,
however, U.S. citizens are reminded that even peaceful demonstrations can turn
violent.

The Embassy/Consulate
cautions all U.S. citizens to avoid this area for the duration of the protest.

The Mexican Constitution prohibits political
activities by foreigners; such actions may result in detention and/or
deportation. Travelers should avoid
political demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by
the Mexican authorities. Even
demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate
into violence. Demonstrators in Mexico
may block traffic on roads, including major arteries, or take control of toll
booths on highways. U.S. citizens are
urged to avoid areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution if in the
vicinity of any protests.

Review your personal security plans; remain
aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news
stations for updates. Maintain a high
level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal
security.

We strongly recommend that U.S.
citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler
Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.travel.state.gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes
it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an
emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the
nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly
monitor the State Department's website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, including the
Travel Warning for Mexico, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Mexico. For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s
Checklist” on the State Department’s website.

Contact
the U.S. Embassy/Consulate for up-to-date information on travel
restrictions. You can also call
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from
other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Follow us on Twitter
and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to
have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is located at Paseo de la Reforma
305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, D.F. and is open 8:00am to 5:00pm,
switchboard phone number (dialing from the United States) 011-52-555-080-2000, http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_hours.html. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent
assistance, please dial the main switchboard number and ask to speak to an
American Citizen Services staff member for assistance.

ALERTA DE VIAJE PARA MÉXICO, 5 DE MAYO DEL 2015

ALERTA DE VIAJE PARA MÉXICO, 5 DE MAYO DEL 2015

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S.
citizens about the risk of traveling to certain places in Mexico due to threats
to safety and security posed by organized criminal groups in the country. U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes,
such as kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery by organized criminal groups in
various Mexican states. For information on security conditions in specific
regions of Mexico, which can vary, travelers should reference the
state-by-state assessments further below. This Travel Warning replaces the
Travel Warning for Mexico, issued April 13, 2015, to update information about
the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on
the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.

General Conditions:

Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit
Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000
who cross the border every day. The Mexican government dedicates substantial
resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no
evidence that organized criminal groups have targeted U.S. visitors or
residents based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in
Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime that
are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes.

Nevertheless, U.S. travelers should be
aware that the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to
counter organized criminal groups that engage in narcotics trafficking and
other unlawful activities throughout Mexico. Crime and violence are serious
problems and can occur anywhere, and U.S. citizens have fallen victim to
criminal activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking, and
highway robbery. While many of those killed in organized crime-related violence
have themselves been involved in criminal activity, innocent persons have also
been killed. The number of U.S. citizens reported to the Department of State as
murdered in Mexico was 81 in 2013 and 100 in 2014.

Gun battles between rival criminal
organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place in towns and cities
in many parts of Mexico, and have occurred in broad daylight on streets and in
other public venues, such as restaurants and clubs. During some of these
incidents, U.S. citizens have been temporarily prevented from leaving the
area. Criminal organizations have used stolen cars, buses, and trucks to
create roadblocks on major thoroughfares, preventing the military and police
from responding to criminal activity. The location and timing of future armed
engagements is unpredictable. We recommend that you defer travel to the areas specifically
identified in this Travel Warning and exercise extreme caution when traveling
throughout the other areas for which advisories are in effect.

The number of kidnappings throughout Mexico
is of particular concern and appears to be on the rise. According to statistics
published by the Mexican Secretaria de Gobernacion (SEGOB), in 2013 kidnappings
nationwide increased 20 percent over the previous year. While kidnappings can
occur anywhere, according to SEGOB, during this timeframe, the states with the
highest numbers of kidnappings were Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Michoacán, Estado de
Mexico, and Morelos. Additionally, according to a widely publicized study by
the agency responsible for national statistics (INEGI, the National Institute
of Statistics and Geography), Mexico suffered an estimated 105,682 kidnappings
in 2012; only 1,317 were reported to the police. Police have been implicated in
some of these incidents. Both local and expatriate communities have been
victimized. More than 130 kidnappings of U.S. citizens were reported to the
U.S. Embassy and consulates in Mexico between January and November of 2014.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to lower their
personal profiles and to avoid displaying indicators of wealth such as
expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or cameras. U.S. citizens are encouraged to
maintain awareness of their surroundings and avoid situations in which they may
be isolated or stand out as potential victims.

Kidnappings in Mexico have included
traditional, "express," and "virtual" kidnappings. Victims
of traditional kidnappings are physically abducted and held captive until a
ransom is paid for release. "Express" kidnappings are those in which
a victim is abducted for a short time and forced to withdraw money, usually
from an ATM, then released. A "virtual" kidnapping is
an extortion-by-deception scheme wherein a victim is contacted by phone
and convinced to isolate themselves from family and friends until a ransom
is paid. The victim is coerced (by threat of violence) to remain isolated
and to provide phone numbers for the victim's family or loved ones. The
victim's family is then contacted and a ransom for the
"kidnapped" extracted. Recently, some travelers to Mexico staying at
hotels as guests have been targets of such "virtual" kidnapping
schemes.

Of particular safety concern are casinos,
sports books, or other gambling establishments and adult entertainment
establishments. U.S. government personnel are specifically prohibited from
patronizing these establishments in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas,
Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Colima and
Nayarit.

Carjacking and highway robbery are serious
problems in many parts of the border region, and U.S. citizens have been
murdered in such incidents. Most victims who complied with carjackers' demands
have reported that they were not physically harmed. Carjackers have shot at
vehicles that have attempted to flee. Incidents have occurred during the day
and at night, and carjackers have used a variety of techniques, including
roadblocks, bumping/moving vehicles to force them to stop, and running vehicles
off the road at high speeds. There are indications that criminals target newer
and larger vehicles, especially dark-colored SUVs. However, even drivers of old
sedans and buses coming from the United States have been targeted. While
violent incidents can occur anywhere and at any time, they most frequently
occur at night and on isolated roads. To reduce risk when traveling by road, we
strongly urge you to travel between cities throughout Mexico only during
daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads
("cuotas") whenever possible.

The Mexican government has deployed federal
police and military personnel throughout the country as part of its efforts to
combat organized criminal groups. U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican roads and
highways by car or bus may encounter government checkpoints, staffed by
military or law enforcement personnel. In some places, criminal organizations
have erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, at times wearing police and
military uniforms, and have killed or abducted motorists who have failed to
stop at them. You should cooperate at all checkpoints.

Demonstrations are common and occur in all
parts of the country. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn
confrontational and escalate into violence. Protesters in Mexico may block
traffic on roads, including major thoroughfares, or take control of toll booths
on highways. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid areas of demonstrations, and to
exercise caution if in the vicinity of any protests. Travelers who encounter
protestors demanding unofficial tolls are generally allowed to pass upon
payment. Travelers are urged not to exit from major highways. U.S. Citizens
should avoid participating in demonstrations and other activities that might be
deemed political by the authorities as the Mexican Constitution prohibits
political activities by foreigners; such actions may result in detention and/or
deportation.

The Department imposes restrictions on U.S.
government employees' travel in Mexico. Since July 2010, USG employees are
prohibited from driving on non-official travel from the U.S.-Mexico border to
or from the interior of Mexico or Central America. Personal travel by motor
vehicle is permitted during daylight hours on Highway 15 toll road between
Hermosillo and Nogales, on Highway 45 between Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City,
and on the main roads between Palomas, Chihuahua and Nuevo Casas Grandes,
Chihuahua.

U.S. government personnel and their
families are prohibited from personal travel to all areas to which it is
advised to "defer non-essential travel.” When travel for official purposes
is essential, it is conducted with extensive security precautions. U.S. government
personnel and their families are allowed to travel for personal reasons to the
areas where no advisory is in effect or where the advisory is to exercise
caution. While the general public is not forbidden from visiting places
categorized under "defer non-essential travel," U.S. government
personnel will not be able to respond quickly to an emergency situation in
those areas due to security precautions that must be taken by U.S. government
personnel to travel to those areas. Travel at night is prohibited for U.S.
government personnel in some states as indicated below.

Below is a state-by-state assessment of
security conditions throughout Mexico. Travelers should be mindful that even if
no advisories are in effect for a given state, crime and violence can still
occur. For general information about travel and other conditions in Mexico, see
our Country Specific
Information.

Aguascalientes: Exercise caution when traveling to the areas of the
state that border the state of Zacatecas, as criminal organization activity in
that region continues.

Baja California: Tijuana, Rosarito,
Ensenada and Mexicali are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Baja
California - Exercise caution in the
northern state of Baja California, particularly at night. Criminal activity
along highways is a continuing security concern. According to the Baja State
Secretariat for Public Security, from January to October 2014 Tijuana and
Rosarito experienced increasing homicide rates compared to the same period in
the previous year. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted
criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have
resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting
incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have occurred during
daylight hours.

Baja California Sur: Cabo San Lucas
and La Paz are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Southern Baja
California – Exercise caution in the state
capital of La Paz. According to the Department of Interior of Mexico, in 2013
Baja California Sur registered its highest homicide rate since 1997. Many of
these homicides occurred in La Paz, where there has been an increase in organized
crime-related violence.

Campeche: No advisory is in effect.

Chiapas: Palenque and San Cristobal de
las Casas are major cities/travel destinations in Chiapas - No advisory is in effect.

Chihuahua: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua
City, and Copper Canyon are major cities/travel destinations in Chihuahua - Exercise caution in traveling to: the
business and shopping districts in the northeast section of Ciudad Juarez and
its major industrial parks, the central downtown section and major industrial
parks in the city of Chihuahua, the town of Palomas, the urban area of the city
of Ojinaga, and the towns of Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas Grandes and their
immediate environs. Travel to the Nuevo Casas Grandes area should be
through the Palomas port of entry (POE) on U.S. Highway 11, continuing south
until reaching Mexico Highway 2 west to Nuevo Casas Grandes. Travel to Ojinaga
should be on the U.S. side via U.S. Highway 67 through the Presidio POE. Defer
non-essential travel to other areas in the state of Chihuahua and travel
between cities only on major highways and only during daylight hours. Crime and
violence remain serious problems throughout the state of Chihuahua,
particularly in the southern portion of the state and in the Sierra Mountains,
including Copper Canyon.

Coahuila: Defer non-essential travel to the state of Coahuila
except the city of Saltillo, where you should exercise caution. Violence and
criminal activity along the highways are continuing security concerns,
particularly along the northern border between Piedras Negras and Nuevo Laredo.
The state of Coahuila continues to experience high rates of violent crime,
including murder, kidnapping, and armed carjacking.

Colima: Manzanillo is a major
city/travel destination in Colima -
Defer non-essential travel to the areas of the state of Colima that border the
state of Michoacán, including the city of Tecoman. The security situation along
the Michoacán border continues to be the most unstable in the state, and
personal travel by U.S. government personnel is not permitted in this area.

Durango: Exercise caution in the state of Durango. Violence
and criminal activity along the highways are a continuing security concern.
Several areas in the state continue to experience high rates of violence and
remain volatile and unpredictable. U.S. government personnel may travel outside
the city of Durango only during daylight hours on toll roads, and must return
to the city of Durango to abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Estado de Mexico: Toluca and
Teotihuacan are major travel destinations in Estado de Mexico - Exercise caution in the State of Mexico.
Many areas of the state have seen high levels of crime and insecurity as
organized criminal groups have expanded their activities from the states of
Guerrero and Michoacán, and have also experienced high levels of street crime.
The September 2014 INEGI crime victimization survey indicated that the
State of Mexico had the highest incidence of crime in Mexico, with 47,778
victims per 100,000. Due to high rates of crime and insecurity, defer
non-essential travel to the municipalities of Coacalco, Ecatepec,
Nezahualcoyotl, La Paz, Valle del Chalco, Solidaridad, Chalco, and Ixtapaluca,
which are eastern portions of the greater Mexico City metropolitan area,
located just to the east of the Federal District of Mexico and Benito Juarez
airport, unless traveling directly through the areas on major thoroughfares.
Defer non-essential travel to the municipality of Tlatlaya in the southwest
portion of the state and non-essential travel on any roads between Santa Marta
in the southeast portion of the state and Huitzilac in the state of Morelos,
including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas, due to
high rates of crime and insecurity.

Guanajuato: San Miguel de Allende and Leon
are major cities/travel destinations in Guanajuato - No advisory is in effect.

Guerrero: Acapulco, Ixtapa, Taxco and
Zihuatanejo are major cities/travel destinations in Guerrero - Defer non-essential travel to all parts of the state,
except for the cities of Acapulco, Ixtapa, and Zihuatanejo. Travel to Acapulco
and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo only by air or cruise ship, exercise caution, and remain
in tourist areas. Travel in and out of Acapulco by air and cruise ship is
permitted for U.S. government personnel. U.S. government personnel are
prohibited from traveling within Guerrero state by land, including via the 95D
toll road (“cuota”) to/from Mexico City and Acapulco, as well as highway 200
between Acapulco and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. In Acapulco, defer non-essential
travel to areas further than two blocks inland of the Costera Miguel Aleman
Boulevard, which parallels the popular beach areas. Lodging for U.S. government
personnel is limited to the hotel zone (“zona hotelera”) of Acapulco, beginning
from the Krystal Beach Acapulco hotel in the north and going south through
Puerto Marquez, including the Playa Diamante area and ending at The Resort at
Mundo Imperial hotel. In general, the popular tourist area of Diamante, just
south of the city, has been less affected by violence. Any activity outside the
hotel zone for U.S. government personnel is limited to the coastal area from La
Quebrada to the beginning of the hotel zone and only during daylight hours. The
state of Guerrero was the most violent state in Mexico in 2013, with 2,087
homicides and 207 reported cases of kidnapping, according to the Mexican
Secretariado Ejecutivo Nacional de Seguridad Publica. Self-defense groups
operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Armed
members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and, although not
considered hostile to foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and
should be considered volatile and unpredictable.

Hidalgo: No advisory is in effect.

Jalisco: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta,
and Lake Chapala are major cities/travel destinations in Jalisco – Exercise caution throughout the state,
particularly in rural areas and when using secondary highways. Violent clashes
between criminal organizations and government authorities, and related
disturbances including barricades of burning vehicles blocking major roads and
highways, are ongoing concerns that typically occur without notice. Defer
non-essential travel to areas of the state that border the states of Michoacán
and Zacatecas. The security situation along the Michoacán and Zacatecas borders
continues to be unstable. U.S. government personnel are authorized to use
Federal toll road 15D for travel to Mexico City; however, they may not stop in
the town of La Barca for any reason. U.S. government personnel are prohibited
from personal travel to areas of Jalisco that border Zacatecas, and are
prohibited from intercity travel at night.

Mexico City (also known as the Federal
District): No advisory is in effect. See also
the discussion in the section on Estado de Mexico for areas within the greater
Mexico City metropolitan area.

Michoacán: Morelia is a major
city/travel destination in Michoacán -
Defer non-essential travel to the state of Michoacán except the cities of
Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas and the area north of federal toll road 15D, where
you should exercise caution. U.S. government employees are prohibited from
traveling by land in Michoacán except on federal toll road 15D during daylight
hours. Flying into Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas is the recommended method of
travel. Attacks on Mexican government officials, law enforcement and military
personnel, and other incidents of organized crime-related violence, have
occurred throughout Michoacán. Armed members of some self-defense groups
maintain roadblocks and, although not considered hostile to foreigners or
tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be considered volatile and
unpredictable. Some self-defense groups in Michoacán are reputed to be linked
to organized crime.

Morelos: Cuernavaca is a major
city/travel destination in Morelos -
Exercise caution in the state of Morelos due to the unpredictable nature of
organized crime violence. You should also defer non-essential travel on any
roads between Huitzilac in the northwest corner of the state and Santa Marta in
the state of Mexico, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and
surrounding areas. Numerous incidents of organized crime-related violence have
also occurred in the city of Cuernavaca.

Nayarit: The Riviera Nayarit coast,
including the cities of Tepic, Xalisco, and San Blas, is a major travel
destination in Nayarit - Defer
non-essential travel to areas of the state of Nayarit that border the states of
Sinaloa or Durango, as well as all rural areas and secondary highways.

Nuevo Leon: Monterrey is a major
city/travel destination in Nuevo Leon –
Exercise caution in the state of Nuevo Leon. Although the level of organized
crime-related violence and general insecurity in Monterrey has decreased
dramatically within the last two years, sporadic incidents of violence have
occurred. Security services in and around Monterrey are robust and have proven
responsive and effective in combating violent crimes; however, instances of
violence remain a concern in the more remote regions of the state. U.S.
government personnel and their dependents may travel outside the city of
Monterrey only during daylight hours on toll roads, and must return to the city
of San Pedro Garza Garcia municipal boundaries to abide by a curfew of 1 a.m.
and 6 a.m., except for travel to the airport after 5 a.m.

Oaxaca: Oaxaca, Huatulco and Puerto
Escondido are major cities/travel destinations in Oaxaca - No advisory is in effect.

San Luis Potosi: Exercise caution in the state of San Luis Potosi. U.S.
government personnel may travel outside the City of San Luis Potosi only during
daylight hours on toll roads, and must return to the city of San Luis Potosi to
abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Sinaloa: Mazatlan is a major city/travel
destination in Sinaloa - Defer
non-essential travel to the state of Sinaloa except the city of Mazatlan, where
you should exercise caution, particularly late at night and in the early
morning. One of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations is based in the
state of Sinaloa, and violent crime rates remain high in many parts of the
state. Travel off the toll roads in remote areas of Sinaloa is especially
dangerous and should be avoided. We recommend that any travel in Mazatlan be
limited to Zona Dorada and the historic town center, as well as direct routes
to/from these locations and the airport.

Sonora: Nogales, Puerto Peñasco,
Hermosillo, and San Carlos are major cities/travel destinations in Sonora - Sonora is a key region in the international
drug and human trafficking trades and can be extremely dangerous for travelers.
Travelers throughout Sonora are encouraged to limit travel to main roads during
daylight hours. The region west of Nogales, east of Sonoyta, and from Caborca
north, including the towns of Saric, Tubutama, and Altar, and the eastern edge
of Sonora bordering Chihuahua, are known centers of illegal activity, and
non-essential travel between these cities should be avoided. Travelers should
also defer non-essential travel to the eastern edge of the state of Sonora,
which borders the state of Chihuahua (all points along that border east of the
northern city of Agua Prieta and the southern town of Alamos), and defer
non-essential travel within the city of Ciudad Obregon and south of the city of
Navojoa. You should exercise caution while transiting Vicam in southern Sonora
due to roadblocks that can be instituted ad hoc by local
indigenous and environmental groups. U.S. citizens visiting Puerto Peñasco
should use the Lukeville, Arizona/Sonoyta, Sonora border crossing, and limit
driving to daylight hours.

Tabasco: Villahermosa is a major
city/travel destination in Tabasco- No
advisory is in effect.

Tamaulipas: Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo,
Reynosa, and Tampico are major cities in Tamaulipas. Defer
all non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas. Throughout the state
violent crime, including homicide, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping,
extortion, and sexual assault, pose significant safety risks. State and
municipal law enforcement capacity is limited to nonexistent in many parts of
Tamaulipas. Violent conflicts between rival criminal elements and/or the
Mexican military can occur in all parts of the region and at all times of the
day. Violent criminal activity occurs more frequently along the northern
border. While no highway routes through Tamaulipas are considered safe, the
highways between Matamoros-Ciudad Victoria, Reynosa-Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad
Victoria-Tampico, Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros-Reynosa, and
Monterrey-Reynosa, are more prone to criminal activity. Organized criminal
groups sometimes target public and private passenger buses traveling through
Tamaulipas. These groups sometimes take all passengers hostage and demand
ransom payments. In Tamaulipas, U.S. government employees are subject to movement
restrictions and a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m. Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo
Laredo, and Ciudad Victoria have experienced numerous gun battles and attacks
with explosive devices in the past year. The number of reported kidnappings in
Tamaulipas is among the highest in Mexico, and the number of U.S. citizens
reported to the consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo as being kidnapped,
abducted, or disappearing involuntarily in 2014 has also increased.

Tlaxcala: No advisory is in effect.

Veracruz: Exercise caution when traveling in the state of
Veracruz. The state of Veracruz continues to experience violence among rival
criminal organizations.

Yucatan: Merida and Chichen Itza are
major cities/travel destinations in Yucatan - No advisory is in effect.

Zacatecas: Exercise caution in the state of Zacatecas.
Robberies, carjackings, and organized criminal activity remain a concern. U.S.
government personnel may travel outside the city of Zacatecas only during
daylight hours on toll roads, and must return to the city of Zacatecas to abide
by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

For the latest security information, U.S.
citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department's internet web site,
where the current Worldwide
Caution, Travel Warnings,
and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on
Facebook as well. Up-to-date information on security can also
be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada
or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at
001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). U.S.
citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to enroll with the State
Department's Smart Traveler
Enrollment Program. For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in
Mexico, please contact the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate with responsibility
for that person's location in Mexico. For information on the ten U.S. consular
districts in Mexico, complete with links to Embassy and Consulate websites,
please consult the Mexico U.S. Consular District map.
The numbers provided below for the Embassy and Consulates are available around
the clock. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma
305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000;
telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico
01-55-5080-2000. U.S. citizens may also contact the Embassy by e-mail.

ALERTA DE VIAJE PARA MÉXICO, 13 DE ABRIL DEL 2015

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about
the risk of traveling to certain places in Mexico due to threats to safety and
security posed by organized criminal groups in the country. U.S. citizens
have been the victims of violent crimes, such as kidnapping, carjacking, and
robbery by organized criminal groups in various Mexican states. For information
on security conditions in specific regions of Mexico, which can vary, travelers
should reference the state-by-state assessments further below. This Travel
Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Mexico, issued December 24, 2014, to
update information about the security situation and to advise the public of
additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.

General Conditions:

Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study,
tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every
day. The Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors
to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that organized criminal
groups have targeted U.S. visitors or residents based on their nationality.
Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels
of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in
areas along major trafficking routes.

Nevertheless, U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government has
been engaged in an extensive effort to counter organized criminal groups that
engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico.
Crime and violence are serious problems and can occur anywhere, and U.S.
citizens have fallen victim to criminal activity, including homicide, gun
battles, kidnapping, carjacking, and highway robbery. While many of those killed
in organized crime-related violence have themselves been involved in criminal
activity, innocent persons have also been killed. The number of U.S. citizens
reported to the Department of State as murdered in Mexico was 81 in 2013 and 100
in 2014.

Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities
have taken place in towns and cities in many parts of Mexico, and have occurred
in broad daylight on streets and in other public venues, such as restaurants and
clubs. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been temporarily
prevented from leaving the area. Criminal organizations have used stolen cars,
buses, and trucks to create roadblocks on major thoroughfares, preventing the
military and police from responding to criminal activity. The location and
timing of future armed engagements is unpredictable. We recommend that you defer
travel to the areas specifically identified in this Travel Warning and exercise
extreme caution when traveling throughout the other areas for which advisories
are in effect.

The number of kidnappings throughout Mexico is of particular concern and
appears to be on the rise. According to statistics published by the Mexican
Secretaria de Gobernacion (SEGOB), in 2013 kidnappings nationwide increased 20
percent over the previous year. While kidnappings can occur anywhere, according
to SEGOB, during this timeframe, the states with the highest numbers of
kidnappings were Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Michoacán, Estado de Mexico, and Morelos.
Additionally, according to a widely publicized study by the agency responsible
for national statistics (INEGI, the National Institute of Statistics and
Geography), Mexico suffered an estimated 105,682 kidnappings in 2012; only 1,317
were reported to the police. Police have been implicated in some of these
incidents. Both local and expatriate communities have been victimized. More than
130 kidnappings of U.S. citizens were reported to the U.S. Embassy and
consulates in Mexico between January and November of 2014.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to lower their personal profiles and to avoid
displaying indicators of wealth such as expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or
cameras. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain awareness of their
surroundings and avoid situations in which they may be isolated or stand out as
potential victims.

Kidnappings in Mexico have included traditional, "express," and "virtual"
kidnappings. Victims of traditional kidnappings are physically abducted and held
captive until a ransom is paid for release. "Express" kidnappings are those in
which a victim is abducted for a short time and forced to withdraw money,
usually from an ATM, then released. A "virtual" kidnapping is
an extortion-by-deception scheme wherein a victim is contacted by phone and
convinced to isolate themselves from family and friends until a ransom is paid.
The victim is coerced (by threat of violence) to remain isolated and to provide
phone numbers for the victim's family or loved ones. The victim's family is then
contacted and a ransom for the "kidnapped" extracted. Recently, some travelers
to Mexico staying at hotels as guests have been targets of such
"virtual" kidnapping schemes.

Of particular safety concern are casinos, sports books, or other gambling
establishments and adult entertainment establishments. U.S. government personnel
are specifically prohibited from patronizing these establishments in the states
of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon,
Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Colima and Nayarit.

Carjacking and highway robbery are serious problems in many parts of the
border region, and U.S. citizens have been murdered in such incidents. Most
victims who complied with carjackers' demands have reported that they were not
physically harmed. Carjackers have shot at vehicles that have attempted to flee.
Incidents have occurred during the day and at night, and carjackers have used a
variety of techniques, including roadblocks, bumping/moving vehicles to force
them to stop, and running vehicles off the road at high speeds. There are
indications that criminals target newer and larger vehicles, especially
dark-colored SUVs. However, even drivers of old sedans and buses coming from the
United States have been targeted. While violent incidents can occur anywhere and
at any time, they most frequently occur at night and on isolated roads. To
reduce risk when traveling by road, we strongly urge you to travel between
cities throughout Mexico only during daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads,
and to use toll roads ("cuotas") whenever possible.

The Mexican government has deployed federal police and military personnel
throughout the country as part of its efforts to combat organized criminal
groups. U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican roads and highways by car or bus may
encounter government checkpoints, staffed by military or law enforcement
personnel. In some places, criminal organizations have erected their own
unauthorized checkpoints, at times wearing police and military uniforms, and
have killed or abducted motorists who have failed to stop at them. You should
cooperate at all checkpoints.

Demonstrations are common and occur in all parts of the country. Even
demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate
into violence. Protesters in Mexico may block traffic on roads, including major
thoroughfares, or take control of toll booths on highways. U.S. citizens are
urged to avoid areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution if in the
vicinity of any protests. Travelers who encounter protestors demanding
unofficial tolls are generally allowed to pass upon payment. Travelers are urged
not to exit from major highways. U.S. Citizens should avoid participating in
demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by the
authorities as the Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by
foreigners; such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.

The Department imposes restrictions on U.S. government employees' travel in
Mexico. Since July 2010, USG employees are prohibited from driving on
non-official travel from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior of
Mexico or Central America. Personal travel by motor vehicle is permitted during
daylight hours on Highway 15 toll road between Hermosillo and Nogales, on
Highway 45 between Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, and on the main roads
between Palomas, Chihuahua and Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua.

U.S. government personnel and their families are prohibited from personal
travel to all areas to which it is advised to "defer non-essential travel.” When
travel for official purposes is essential, it is conducted with extensive
security precautions. U.S. government personnel and their families are allowed
to travel for personal reasons to the areas where no advisory is in effect or
where the advisory is to exercise caution. While the general public is not
forbidden from visiting places categorized under "defer non-essential travel,"
U.S. government personnel will not be able to respond quickly to an emergency
situation in those areas due to security precautions that must be taken by U.S.
government personnel to travel to those areas. Travel at night is prohibited for
U.S. government personnel in some states as indicated below.

Below is a state-by-state assessment of security conditions throughout
Mexico. Travelers should be mindful that even if no advisories are in effect for
a given state, crime and violence can still occur. For general information about
travel and other conditions in Mexico, see our Country
Specific Information.

Aguascalientes: Exercise caution when traveling to the areas of the
state that border the state of Zacatecas, as criminal organization activity in
that region continues.

Baja California:Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada and Mexicali are major
cities/travel destinations in the state of Baja California - Exercise
caution in the northern state of Baja California, particularly at night.
Criminal activity along highways is a continuing security concern. According to
the Baja State Secretariat for Public Security, from January to October 2014
Tijuana and Rosarito experienced increasing homicide rates compared to the same
period in the previous year. While most of these homicides appeared to be
targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal
groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens.
Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have
occurred during daylight hours.

Baja California Sur:Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are major
cities/travel destinations in the state of Southern Baja
California – Exercise caution in the state capital of La Paz. According to
the Department of Interior of Mexico, in 2013 Baja California Sur registered its
highest homicide rate since 1997. Many of these homicides occurred in La Paz,
where there has been an increase in organized crime-related violence.

Campeche: No advisory is in effect.

Chiapas: Palenque and San Cristobal de las Casas are major cities/travel
destinations in Chiapas - No advisory is in effect.

Chihuahua:Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Copper Canyon are
major cities/travel destinations in Chihuahua - Exercise caution in
traveling to: the business and shopping districts in the northeast section of
Ciudad Juarez and its major industrial parks, the central downtown section and
major industrial parks in the city of Chihuahua, the town of Palomas, the urban
area of the city of Ojinaga, and the towns of Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas
Grandes and their immediate environs. Travel to the Nuevo Casas Grandes area
should be through the Palomas port of entry (POE) on U.S. Highway 11, continuing
south until reaching Mexico Highway 2 west to Nuevo Casas Grandes. Travel to
Ojinaga should be on the U.S. side via U.S. Highway 67 through the Presidio POE.
Defer non-essential travel to other areas in the state of Chihuahua and travel
between cities only on major highways and only during daylight hours. Crime and
violence remain serious problems throughout the state of Chihuahua, particularly
in the southern portion of the state and in the Sierra Mountains, including
Copper Canyon.

Coahuila: Defer non-essential travel to the state of Coahuila except
the city of Saltillo, where you should exercise caution. Violence and criminal
activity along the highways are continuing security concerns, particularly along
the northern border between Piedras Negras and Nuevo Laredo. The state of
Coahuila continues to experience high rates of violent crime, including murder,
kidnapping, and armed carjacking.

Colima: Manzanillo is a major city/travel destination in Colima -
Defer non-essential travel to the areas of the state of Colima that border the
state of Michoacán, including the city of Tecoman. The security situation along
the Michoacán border continues to be the most unstable in the state, and
personal travel by U.S. government personnel is not permitted in this area.

Durango: Exercise caution in the state of Durango. Violence and
criminal activity along the highways are a continuing security concern. Several
areas in the state continue to experience high rates of violence and remain
volatile and unpredictable. U.S. government personnel may travel outside the
city of Durango only during daylight hours on toll roads, and must return to the
city of Durango to abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Estado de Mexico:Toluca and Teotihuacan are major travel
destinations in Estado de Mexico - Exercise caution in the State of Mexico.
Many areas of the state have seen high levels of crime and insecurity as
organized criminal groups have expanded their activities from the states of
Guerrero and Michoacán, and have also experienced high levels of street crime.
The September 2014 INEGI crime victimization survey indicated that the State of
Mexico had the highest incidence of crime in Mexico, with 47,778 victims per
100,000. Due to high rates of crime and insecurity, defer non-essential travel
to the municipalities of Coacalco, Ecatepec, Nezahualcoyotl, La Paz, Valle del
Chalco, Solidaridad, Chalco, and Ixtapaluca, which are eastern portions of the
greater Mexico City metropolitan area, located just to the east of the Federal
District of Mexico and Benito Juarez airport, unless traveling directly through
the areas on major thoroughfares. Defer non-essential travel to the municipality
of Tlatlaya in the southwest portion of the state and non-essential travel on
any roads between Santa Marta in the southeast portion of the state and
Huitzilac in the state of Morelos, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National
Park and surrounding areas, due to high rates of crime and insecurity.

Guanajuato: San Miguel de Allende and Leon are major cities/travel
destinations in Guanajuato - No advisory is in effect.

Guerrero: Acapulco, Ixtapa, Taxco and Zihuatanejo are major cities/travel
destinations in Guerrero - Defer non-essential travel to all parts of the
state, except for the cities of Acapulco, Ixtapa, and Zihuatanejo. Travel to
Acapulco and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo only by air or cruise ship, exercise caution,
and remain in tourist areas. Travel in and out of Acapulco by air and cruise
ship is permitted for U.S. government personnel. U.S. government personnel are
prohibited from traveling within Guerrero state by land, including via the 95D
toll road (“cuota”) to/from Mexico City and Acapulco, as well as highway 200
between Acapulco and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. In Acapulco, defer non-essential travel
to areas further than two blocks inland of the Costera Miguel Aleman Boulevard,
which parallels the popular beach areas. Lodging for U.S. government personnel
is limited to the hotel zone (“zona hotelera”) of Acapulco, beginning from the
Krystal Beach Acapulco hotel in the north and going south through Puerto
Marquez, including the Playa Diamante area and ending at The Resort at Mundo
Imperial hotel. In general, the popular tourist area of Diamante, just south of
the city, has been less affected by violence. Any activity outside the hotel
zone for U.S. government personnel is limited to the coastal area from La
Quebrada to the beginning of the hotel zone and only during daylight hours. The
state of Guerrero was the most violent state in Mexico in 2013, with 2,087
homicides and 207 reported cases of kidnapping, according to the Mexican
Secretariado Ejecutivo Nacional de Seguridad Publica. Self-defense groups
operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Armed members
of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and, although not considered
hostile to foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be
considered volatile and unpredictable.

Hidalgo: No advisory is in effect.

Jalisco: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Lake Chapala are major
cities/travel destinations in Jalisco - Defer non-essential travel to areas
of the state that border the states of Michoacán and Zacatecas. The security
situation along the Michoacán and Zacatecas borders continues to be unstable.
Exercise caution in rural areas and when using secondary highways. U.S.
government personnel are authorized to use Federal toll road 15D for travel to
Mexico City; however, they may not stop in the town of La Barca for any reason.
U.S. government personnel are prohibited from personal travel to areas of
Jalisco that border Zacatecas, and are prohibited from intercity travel at
night.

Mexico City (also known as the Federal District): No advisory is in
effect. See also the discussion in the section on Estado de Mexico for areas
within the greater Mexico City metropolitan area.

Michoacán: Morelia is a major city/travel destination in Michoacán -
Defer non-essential travel to the state of Michoacán except the cities of
Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas and the area north of federal toll road 15D, where
you should exercise caution. U.S. government employees are prohibited from
traveling by land in Michoacán except on federal toll road 15D during daylight
hours. Flying into Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas is the recommended method of
travel. Attacks on Mexican government officials, law enforcement and military
personnel, and other incidents of organized crime-related violence, have
occurred throughout Michoacán. Armed members of some self-defense groups
maintain roadblocks and, although not considered hostile to foreigners or
tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be considered volatile and
unpredictable. Some self-defense groups in Michoacán are reputed to be linked to
organized crime.

Morelos: Cuernavaca is a major city/travel destination in Morelos -
Exercise caution in the state of Morelos due to the unpredictable nature of
organized crime violence. You should also defer non-essential travel on any
roads between Huitzilac in the northwest corner of the state and Santa Marta in
the state of Mexico, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and
surrounding areas. Numerous incidents of organized crime-related violence have
also occurred in the city of Cuernavaca.

Nayarit: The Riviera Nayarit coast, including the cities of Tepic,
Xalisco, and San Blas, is a major travel destination in Nayarit - Defer
non-essential travel to areas of the state of Nayarit that border the states of
Sinaloa or Durango, as well as all rural areas and secondary highways.

Nuevo Leon: Monterrey is a major city/travel destination in Nuevo
Leon – Exercise caution in the state of Nuevo Leon. Although the level of
organized crime-related violence and general insecurity in Monterrey has
decreased dramatically within the last two years, sporadic incidents of violence
have occurred. Security services in and around Monterrey are robust and have
proven responsive and effective in combating violent crimes; however, instances
of violence remain a concern in the more remote regions of the state. U.S.
government personnel and their dependents may travel outside the city of
Monterrey only during daylight hours on toll roads, and must return to the city
of San Pedro Garza Garcia municipal boundaries to abide by a curfew of 1 a.m.
and 6 a.m., except for travel to the airport after 5 a.m.

Oaxaca: Oaxaca, Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are major cities/travel
destinations in Oaxaca - No advisory is in effect.

San Luis Potosi: Exercise caution in the state of San Luis Potosi.
U.S. government personnel may travel outside the City of San Luis Potosi only
during daylight hours on toll roads, and must return to the city of San Luis
Potosi to abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Sinaloa: Mazatlan is a major city/travel destination in
Sinaloa - Defer non-essential travel to the state of Sinaloa except the city
of Mazatlan, where you should exercise caution, particularly late at night and
in the early morning. One of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations is
based in the state of Sinaloa, and violent crime rates remain high in many parts
of the state. Travel off the toll roads in remote areas of Sinaloa is especially
dangerous and should be avoided. We recommend that any travel in Mazatlan be
limited to Zona Dorada and the historic town center, as well as direct routes
to/from these locations and the airport.

Sonora: Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, Hermosillo, and San Carlos are major
cities/travel destinations in Sonora - Sonora is a key region in the
international drug and human trafficking trades and can be extremely dangerous
for travelers. Travelers throughout Sonora are encouraged to limit travel to
main roads during daylight hours. The region west of Nogales, east of Sonoyta,
and from Caborca north, including the towns of Saric, Tubutama, and Altar, and
the eastern edge of Sonora bordering Chihuahua, are known centers of illegal
activity, and non-essential travel between these cities should be avoided.
Travelers should also defer non-essential travel to the eastern edge of the
state of Sonora, which borders the state of Chihuahua (all points along that
border east of the northern city of Agua Prieta and the southern town of
Alamos), and defer non-essential travel within the city of Ciudad Obregon and
south of the city of Navojoa. You should exercise caution while transiting Vicam
in southern Sonora due to roadblocks that can be instituted ad hoc by
local indigenous and environmental groups. U.S. citizens visiting Puerto Peñasco
should use the Lukeville, Arizona/Sonoyta, Sonora border crossing, and limit
driving to daylight hours.

Tabasco: Villahermosa is a major city/travel destination in
Tabasco- No advisory is in effect.

Tamaulipas: Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, and Tampico are major cities
in Tamaulipas. Defer all non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas.
Throughout the state violent crime, including homicide, armed robbery,
carjacking, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault, pose significant safety
risks. State and municipal law enforcement capacity is limited to nonexistent in
many parts of Tamaulipas. Violent conflicts between rival criminal elements
and/or the Mexican military can occur in all parts of the region and at all
times of the day. Violent criminal activity occurs more frequently along the
northern border. While no highway routes through Tamaulipas are considered safe,
the highways between Matamoros-Ciudad Victoria, Reynosa-Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad
Victoria-Tampico, Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros-Reynosa, and
Monterrey-Reynosa, are more prone to criminal activity. Organized criminal
groups sometimes target public and private passenger buses traveling through
Tamaulipas. These groups sometimes take all passengers hostage and demand ransom
payments. In Tamaulipas, U.S. government employees are subject to movement
restrictions and a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m. Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo
Laredo, and Ciudad Victoria have experienced numerous gun battles and attacks
with explosive devices in the past year. The number of reported kidnappings in
Tamaulipas is among the highest in Mexico, and the number of U.S. citizens
reported to the consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo as being kidnapped,
abducted, or disappearing involuntarily in 2014 has also increased.

Tlaxcala: No advisory is in effect.

Veracruz: Exercise caution when traveling in the state of Veracruz.
The state of Veracruz continues to experience violence among rival criminal
organizations.

Yucatan: Merida and Chichen Itza are major
cities/travel destinations in Yucatan - No advisory is in effect.

Zacatecas: Exercise caution in the state of Zacatecas. Robberies,
carjackings, and organized criminal activity remain a concern. U.S. government
personnel may travel outside the city of Zacatecas only during daylight hours on
toll roads, and must return to the city of Zacatecas to abide by a curfew of 1
a.m. to 6 a.m.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should
regularly monitor the State Department's
internet web site, where the current Worldwide
Caution, Travel
Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside
the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These
numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through
Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). U.S. citizens traveling or residing
overseas are encouraged to enroll with the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. For
any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the U.S.
Embassy or U.S. Consulate with responsibility for that person's location in
Mexico. For information on the ten U.S. consular districts in Mexico, complete
with links to Embassy and Consulate websites, please consult the Mexico U.S.
Consular District map.
The numbers provided below for the Embassy and Consulates are available around
the clock. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma
305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000;
telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico
01-55-5080-2000. U.S. citizens may also contact the Embassy by e-mail.

Prepárese para la temporada de declaración de impuestos 2015

Dear U.S. citizens,

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
has provided the following guidance for U.S. citizens abroad preparing for the
2015 tax filing season. This IRS guidance is posted under Federal
Benefits and Obligations on travel.state.gov. U.S.
embassies and consulates cannot mail tax returns on behalf of U.S. taxpayers
living abroad.

1. Who Must File?

All U.S. citizens and resident
aliens must file a U.S. individual income tax return, even if they permanently
live outside the United States and may not owe any tax because of income
exclusion or tax credit.

2. When is the 2014
Federal Tax Return Due?

Due date for Form 1040:
April 15, 2015

Extensions:

·
An automatic extension to June 15, 2015, is granted for taxpayers living
outside the United States and Puerto Rico. No form is required; write
"Taxpayer Resident Abroad" at the top of your tax return.

o Caution:
This extension applies only for filing your tax return, not for payment.
If you owe any taxes, you're required to pay by April 15, 2015. Interest
and penalties will generally be applied if payment is made after this date.

·
To request an additional extension to October 15, 2015, use Form 4868.

·
Caution: This extension applies only for filing your tax return, not for
payment. If you owe any taxes, you're required to pay by April 15,
2015. Interest and penalties will generally be applied if payment make
after this date.

You can mail your tax return
and payment using the postal service or approved private delivery
services. A list of approved delivery
services is available on IRS.gov. If you mail a return from outside
the United States, the date of filing is the postmark date. However, if
you mail a payment, separately or with your return, your payment is not
considered received until the date of actual receipt.

4. Can I Electronically
File My Return?

You can prepare and e-file
your income tax return, in many cases for free. Participating software
companies make their products available through the IRS. E-File options are listed
on IRS.gov.

·
Direct pay. You can pay online with a direct transfer from your U.S. bank
account using Direct Pay, the Electronic
Federal Tax Payment System, or by a U.S. debit or credit card. You
can also pay by phone using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or by a
U.S. debit or credit card.

·
Foreign wire transfers. If you have a U.S. bank account, you can use the Electronic
Federal Tax Payment System. If you do not have a U.S. bank account,
ask whether your financial institution has a U.S. affiliate that can help you
make same-day wire transfers.

·
Foreign
electronic payments. International taxpayers who do not have a U.S.
bank account may transfer funds from their foreign bank account directly to the
IRS for payment of their tax liabilities.

7. Other Reporting?

You also may have to file
FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR),
by June 30, 2015.

8. Does the IRS Provide
Help in Other Languages?

The IRS provides tax
information in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Go to www.irs.gov and use the drop down box under
"Languages" on the upper right corner to select your language.

9. Where Can I Get Help?

Contact the International
Taxpayer Service Call Center by phone or fax. The International Call
Center is open Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Eastern
Time).

ALERTA DE VIAJE PARA MÉXICO, 24 DE DICIEMBRE DEL 2014

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the risk of
traveling to certain places in Mexico due to threats to safety and security
posed by organized criminal groups in the country. U.S.
citizens have been the target of violent crimes, such as kidnapping,
carjacking, and robbery by organized criminal groups in various Mexican
states. For information on security conditions in specific regions of
Mexico, which can vary, travelers should reference the state-by-state
assessments further below. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel
Warning for Mexico, issued October 10, 2014, to update information about the
security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the
travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.

General Conditions:

Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and
business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The
Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major
tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that organized criminal groups
have targeted U.S. visitors or residents based on their nationality.
Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels
of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in
areas along major trafficking routes.

Nevertheless, U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government has
been engaged in an extensive effort to counter organized criminal groups that
engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout
Mexico. The groups themselves are engaged in a violent struggle to
control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity. Crime and
violence are serious problems and can occur anywhere. U.S. citizens have
fallen victim to criminal activity, including homicide, gun battles,
kidnapping, carjacking, and highway robbery. While many of those killed
in organized crime-related violence have themselves been involved in criminal
activity, innocent persons have also been killed. The number of U.S.
citizens reported to the Department of State as murdered in Mexico was 81 in
2013 and 85 in 2014 to date.

Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities
have taken place in towns and cities in many parts of Mexico. Gun battles
have occurred in broad daylight on streets and in other public venues, such as
restaurants and clubs. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have
been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area. Criminal
organizations have used stolen cars, buses, and trucks to create roadblocks on
major thoroughfares, preventing the military and police from responding to
criminal activity. The location and timing of future armed engagements is
unpredictable. We recommend that you defer travel to the areas
specifically identified in this Travel Warning and exercise extreme caution
when traveling throughout the other areas for which advisories are in
effect.

The number of kidnappings throughout Mexico is of particular
concern and appears to be on the rise. According to statistics published
by the Mexican Secretaria de Gobernacion (SEGOB), in 2013 kidnappings
nationwide increased 20 percent over the previous year. While kidnappings
can occur anywhere, according to SEGOB, during this timeframe, the states with
the highest numbers of kidnappings were Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Michoacán, Estado
de Mexico, and Morelos. Additionally, according to a widely publicized
study by the agency responsible for national statistics (INEGI, the National
Institute of Statistics and Geography), Mexico suffered an estimated 105,682
kidnappings in 2012; only 1,317 were reported to the police. Police have
been implicated in some of these incidents. Both local and expatriate
communities have been victimized. More than 130 kidnappings of U.S.
citizens were reported to the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Mexico between
January and November of 2014.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to lower their personal profiles
and to avoid displaying indicators of wealth such as expensive or
expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or cameras. U.S. citizens are
encouraged to maintain awareness of their surroundings and avoid situations in which
they may be isolated or stand out as potential victims.

Kidnappings in Mexico have included traditional, "express," and
"virtual" kidnappings. Victims of traditional kidnappings are
physically abducted and held captive until a ransom is paid for release.
"Express" kidnappings are those in which a victim is abducted for a
short time and forced to withdraw money, usually from an ATM, then
released. A "virtual" kidnapping is
an extortion-by-deception scheme wherein a victim is contacted by phone
and convinced to isolate themselves from family and friends until a ransom
is paid. The victim is coerced (by threat of violence) to remain
isolated and to provide phone numbers for the victim's family or loved
ones. The victim's family is then contacted and a ransom for the
"kidnapped" extracted. Recently, some travelers to Mexico
staying at hotels as guests have been targets of such
"virtual" kidnapping schemes.

Of particular safety concern are casinos, sports books, or other
gambling establishments and adult entertainment establishments. U.S.
government personnel are specifically prohibited from patronizing these
establishments in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes,
San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit.

Carjacking
and highway robbery are serious problems in many parts of the border region,
and U.S. citizens have been murdered in such incidents. Most victims who
complied with carjackers' demands have reported that they were not physically
harmed. Carjackers have shot at vehicles that have attempted to
flee. Incidents have occurred during the day and at night, and carjackers
have used a variety of techniques, including roadblocks, bumping/moving
vehicles to force them to stop, and running vehicles off the road at high
speeds. There are indications that criminals target newer and larger
vehicles, especially dark-colored SUVs. However, even drivers of old
sedans and buses coming from the United States have been targeted. While
violent incidents can occur anywhere and at any time, they most frequently
occur at night and on isolated roads. To reduce risk when traveling by
road, we strongly urge you to travel between cities throughout Mexico only
during daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads
("cuotas") whenever possible.

The Mexican government has deployed federal police and military personnel
throughout the country as part of its efforts to combat organized criminal
groups. U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican roads and highways by car or
bus may encounter government checkpoints, staffed by military or law
enforcement personnel. In some places, criminal organizations have
erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, at times wearing police and
military uniforms, and have killed or abducted motorists who have failed to
stop at them. You should cooperate at all checkpoints.

Demonstrations are common and occur in all
parts of the country. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can
turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Protesters in Mexico may
block traffic on roads, including major thoroughfares, or take control of toll
booths on highways. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid areas of demonstrations,
and to exercise caution if in the vicinity of any protests. Travelers
who encounter protestors demanding unofficial tolls are generally
allowed to pass upon payment. Travelers are urged not to exit from major
highways. U.S. Citizens should avoid participating in
demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by the
authorities as the Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by
foreigners; such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.

The Department imposes restrictions on U.S. government
employees' travel in Mexico. Since July 2010, USG employees are
prohibited from driving on non-official travel from the U.S.-Mexico border to
or from the interior of Mexico or Central America. One exception is that
personal travel by motor vehicle is permitted on Highway 15 toll road between Hermosillo
and Nogales during daylight hours.

U.S. government personnel and their families are prohibited from
personal travel to all areas to which it is advised to "defer
non-essential travel". When travel for official purposes is
essential, it is conducted with extensive security precautions. U.S.
government personnel and their families are allowed to travel for personal
reasons to the areas where no advisory is in effect or where the advisory is to
exercise caution. While the general public is not forbidden from visiting
places categorized under "defer non-essential travel," U.S.
government personnel will not be able to respond quickly to an emergency
situation in those areas due to security precautions that must be taken by U.S.
government personnel to travel to those areas.
Travel at night is prohibited for U.S. government personnel in some
states as indicated below.

Below is a state-by-state assessment of security conditions throughout
Mexico. Travelers should be mindful that even if no advisories are
in effect for a given state, crime and violence can still occur. For
general information about travel and other conditions in Mexico, see our Country Specific Information.

Aguascalientes: Exercise
caution when traveling to the areas of the state that border the state of
Zacatecas, as criminal organization activity in that region continues.

Baja California: Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada and
Mexicali are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Baja California - Exercise
caution in the northern state of Baja California, particularly at night.
Criminal activity along highways is a continuing security concern. According
to the Baja State Secretariat for Public Security, from January to October 2014
Tijuana and Rosarito experienced increasing homicide rates compared to the same
period in the previous year. While most of these homicides appeared to be
targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal
groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens.
Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have
occurred during daylight hours.

Baja California (Sur): Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are major cities/travel destinations in the
state of Southern Baja California – Exercise caution in the
state capital of La Paz. According to the Department of Interior of Mexico, in 2013
Baja California Sur registered its highest homicide rate since 1997. Many of these homicides occurred in La Paz,
where there has been an increase in organized crime-related violence. Campeche: No advisory is in effect.

Chiapas: Palenque
and San Cristobal de las Casas are major cities/travel
destinations in Chiapas - No advisory is in effect.

Chihuahua: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City, and
Copper Canyon are major cities/travel destinations in Chihuahua - Exercise
caution in traveling to: the business and shopping districts in the northeast
section of Ciudad Juarez and its major industrial parks, the central downtown
section and major industrial parks in the city of Chihuahua, the town of
Palomas, the urban area of the city of Ojinaga, and the towns of Nuevo Casas
Grandes and Casas Grandes and their immediate environs. Travel to the
Nuevo Casas Grandes area should be through the Palomas port of entry (POE) on
U.S. Highway 11, continuing south until reaching Mexico Highway 2 west to Nuevo
Casas Grandes. Travel to Ojinaga should
be on the U.S. side via U.S. Highway 67 through the Presidio POE. Defer non-essential travel to other areas in
the state of Chihuahua and travel between cities only on major highways and
only during daylight hours. Crime and violence remain serious problems
throughout the state of Chihuahua, particularly in the southern portion of the
state and in the Sierra Mountains, including Copper Canyon.

Coahuila: Defer non-essential travel to the state of Coahuila
except the city of Saltillo, where you should exercise caution. Violence
and criminal activity along the highways are continuing security concerns,
particularly along the northern border between Piedras Negras and Nuevo Laredo.
The state of Coahuila continues to experience high rates of violent crime,
including murder, kidnapping, and armed carjacking..
Colima: Manzanillo is a major city/travel destination in Colima -
Defer non-essential travel to the areas of the state of Colima that border the
state of Michoacán, including the city of Tecoman. The security situation along the Michoacán
border continues to be the most unstable in the state, and personal travel by
U.S. government personnel is not permitted in this area.

Durango: Exercise caution in
the state of Durango. Violence and
criminal activity along the highways are a continuing security concern.
Several areas in the state continue to experience high rates of violence and
remain volatile and unpredictable. U.S. government personnel may travel
outside the city of Durango only during daylight hours on toll roads, and must
return to the city of Durango to abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Estado de Mexico: Toluca and Teotihuacan are major travel
destinations in Estado de Mexico - Exercise
caution in the State of Mexico. Many areas of the state have seen high
levels of crime and insecurity as organized criminal groups have expanded their
activities from the states of Guerrero and Michoacán, and have also experienced
high levels of street crime. The September
2014 INEGI crime victimization survey indicated that the State of Mexico
had the highest incidence of crime in Mexico, with 47,778 victims per
100,000. Due to high rates of
crime and insecurity, defer non-essential travel
to the municipalities of Coacalco, Ecatepec, Nezahualcoyotl, La Paz, Valle del
Chalco, Solidaridad, Chalco, and Ixtapaluca, which are eastern portions of the
greater Mexico City metropolitan area, located just to the east of the Federal
District of Mexico and Benito Juarez airport, unless traveling directly through
the areas on major thoroughfares. Defer non-essential travel to the
municipality of Tlatlaya in the southwest portion of the state and non-essential travel on any roads
between Santa Marta in the southeast portion of the state and Huitzilac in the
state of Morelos, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and
surrounding areas, due to high rates of crime and insecurity.

Guanajuato: San Miguel de Allende and Leon are major cities/travel
destinations in Guanajuato - No advisory is in
effect.
Guerrero: Acapulco, Ixtapa, Taxco and Zihuatanejo are major cities/travel
destinations in Guerrero - Defer non-essential travel to all parts of the state, except
for the cities of Acapulco, Ixtapa, and Zihuatanejo . Travel to Acapulco
and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
only by air or cruise ship, exercise caution, and remain in tourist areas. Travel in and out of Acapulco by air and cruise
ship is permitted for U.S. government personnel. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from
traveling within Guerrero state by land, including via the 95D toll road
(“cuota”) to/from Mexico City and Acapulco, as well as highway 200 between
Acapulco and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. In Acapulco, defer
non-essential travel to areas further than two blocks inland of the Costera
Miguel Aleman Boulevard, which parallels the popular beach areas. Lodging
for U.S. government personnel is limited to the hotel zone (“zona hotelera”) of
Acapulco, beginning from the Krystal Beach Acapulco hotel in the north and
going south through Puerto Marquez, including the Playa Diamante area and
ending at The Resort at Mundo Imperial hotel. In general, the popular
tourist area of Diamante, just south of the city, has been less affected by
violence. Any activity outside the hotel zone for U.S. government
personnel is limited to the coastal area from La Quebrada to the beginning of
the hotel zone and only during daylight hours. The state of
Guerrero was the most violent state in Mexico in 2013, with 2,087 homicides and
207 reported cases of kidnapping, according to the Mexican Secretariado
Ejecutivo Nacional de Seguridad Publica. Self-defense groups operate
independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Armed members
of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and, although not considered
hostile to foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be
considered volatile and unpredictable.

Hidalgo: No advisory is in
effect.

Jalisco: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta,
and Lake Chapala are major cities/travel destinations in Jalisco - Defer
non-essential travel to areas of the state that border the states of Michoacán
and Zacatecas. The security situation
along the Michoacán and Zacatecas borders continues to be unstable. Exercise caution in rural areas and when
using secondary highways. U.S.
government personnel are authorized to use Federal toll road 15D for travel to
Mexico City; however, they may not stop in the town of La Barca for any
reason. U.S. government personnel are
prohibited from personal travel to areas of Jalisco that border Zacatecas, and
are prohibited from intercity travel at night.

Mexico City (also known as the Federal
District): No advisory is in effect. See also the discussion in
the section on Estado de Mexico for areas within the greater Mexico City
metropolitan area.

Michoacán:Morelia is a major city/travel destination in Michoacán -
Defer non-essential travel to the state of Michoacán except the cities of
Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas and the area north of federal toll road 15D, where
you should exercise caution. U.S. government employees are prohibited
from traveling by land in Michoacán except on federal toll road 15D during
daylight hours. Flying into Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas is the
recommended method of travel. Attacks on Mexican government officials,
law enforcement and military personnel, and other incidents of organized crime-related
violence, have occurred throughout Michoacán. Armed members of some
self-defense groups maintain roadblocks and, although not considered hostile to
foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be considered
volatile and unpredictable. Some self-defense groups in Michoacán are
reputed to be linked to organized crime.

Morelos: Cuernavaca is a major
city/travel destination in Morelos - Exercise caution in the
state of Morelos due to the unpredictable nature of organized crime
violence. You should also defer non-essential travel on any roads between
Huitzilac in the northwest corner of the state and Santa Marta in the state of
Mexico, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding
areas. Numerous incidents of organized crime-related violence have also
occurred in the city of Cuernavaca.

Nayarit: The Riviera
Nayarit coast, including the cities of Tepic, Xalisco, and San Blas, is a major
travel destination in Nayarit: Defer non-essential travel to
areas of the state of Nayarit that border the states of Sinaloa or Durango, as
well as all rural areas and secondary highways.

Nuevo Leon: Monterrey is a major city/travel
destination in Nuevo Leon – Exercise caution in the state of
Nuevo Leon. Although the level of
organized crime-related violence and general insecurity in Monterrey has
decreased dramatically within the last two years, sporadic incidents of
violence have occurred. Security services in and around Monterrey are
robust and have proven responsive and effective in combating violent crimes;
however, instances of violence remain a concern in the more remote regions of
the state. U.S. government personnel and their dependents may travel
outside the city of Monterrey only during daylight hours on toll roads, and
must return to the city of San Pedro Garza Garcia municipal boundaries to abide
by a curfew of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., except for travel to the airport after 5 a.m.

Oaxaca: Oaxaca, Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are major
cities/travel destinations in Oaxaca - No advisory is in
effect.

San Luis Potosi: Exercise
caution in the state of San Luis Potosi.
U.S. government personnel may travel outside the City of San Luis Potosi
only during daylight hours on toll roads, and must return to the city of San
Luis Potosi to abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Sinaloa: Mazatlan is a major city/travel
destination in Sinaloa - Defer non-essential travel to the
state of Sinaloa except the city of Mazatlan, where you should exercise
caution, particularly late at night and in the early morning. One of
Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations is based in the state of Sinaloa,
and violent crime rates remain high in many parts of the state. Travel
off the toll roads in remote areas of Sinaloa is especially dangerous and
should be avoided. We recommend that any travel in Mazatlan be limited to
Zona Dorada and the historic town center, as well as direct routes to/from
these locations and the airport.

Sonora: Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, Hermosillo, and San Carlos are major
cities/travel destinations in Sonora - Sonora is a key
region in the international drug and human trafficking trades and can be
extremely dangerous for travelers. Travelers throughout Sonora are
encouraged to limit travel to main roads during daylight hours. The
region west of Nogales, east of Sonoyta, and from Caborca north, including the
towns of Saric, Tubutama, and Altar, and the eastern edge of Sonora bordering
Chihuahua, are known centers of illegal activity, and non-essential travel between
these cities should be avoided. Travelers should also defer non-essential
travel to the eastern edge of the state of Sonora, which borders the state of
Chihuahua (all points along that border east of the northern city of Agua
Prieta and the southern town of Alamos), and defer non-essential travel within
the city of Ciudad Obregon and south of the city of Navojoa. You should
exercise caution while transiting Vicam in southern Sonora due to roadblocks
that can be instituted ad hoc by local
indigenous and environmental groups. U.S. citizens visiting Puerto
Peñasco should use the Lukeville, Arizona/Sonoyta, Sonora border crossing, and
limit driving to daylight hours.

Tabasco: Villahermosa is a major city/travel destination in
Tabasco- No advisory is in effect.

Tamaulipas: Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa,
and Tampico are major cities/travel destinations in Tamaulipas - Defer
non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas. All U.S. government
employees are prohibited from personal travel to all but the central zones of
Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo and on Tamaulipas highways outside of Matamoros,
Reynosa, and Nuevo Laredo due to the risks posed by armed robbery and
carjacking, particularly along the northern border. While no highway
routes through Tamaulipas are considered safe, the highways between
Matamoros-Ciudad Victoria, Reynosa-Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad Victoria-Tampico,
Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo, and Monterrey-Reynosa, are more prone to criminal
activity. Public and private passenger buses traveling through Tamaulipas
are sometimes targeted by organized criminal groups. These groups sometimes take all passengers
hostage and demand ransom payments. In Tamaulipas,
U.S. government employees are subject to movement restrictions and a curfew between
midnight and 6 a.m. Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo, and Ciudad Victoria
have experienced numerous gun battles and attacks with explosive devices in the
past year. Violent conflicts between rival criminal elements and/or the
Mexican military can occur in all parts of the region and at all times of the
day. The number of reported kidnappings for Tamaulipas is among the
highest in Mexico, and the number of U.S. citizens reported to the consulates
in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo as being kidnapped, abducted, or disappearing
involuntarily in 2014 has also increased.

Tlaxcala: No advisory is in
effect.

Veracruz: Exercise caution
when traveling in the state of Veracruz. The state of Veracruz continues
to experience violence among rival criminal organizations.

Yucatan: Merida and Chichen Itza are
major cities/travel destinations in Yucatan - No advisory
is in effect.

Zacatecas: Exercise
caution in the state of Zacatecas. Robberies,
carjackings, and organized criminal activity remain a concern. U.S.
government personnel may travel outside the city of Zacatecas only during
daylight hours on toll roads, and must return to the city of Zacatecas to abide
by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling
abroad should regularly monitor the State
Department's internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel
Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. Up-to-date
information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll
free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States
and Canada, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available
from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S.
federal holidays). U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas are
encouraged to enroll with the State Department's Smart
Traveler Enrollment Program. For any emergencies involving U.S.
citizens in Mexico, please contact the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate with
responsibility for that person's location in Mexico. For information on
the ten U.S. consular districts in Mexico, complete with links to Embassy and
Consulate websites, please consult the Mexico U.S. Consular District map. The numbers
provided below for the Embassy and Consulates are available around the
clock. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma
305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000;
telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico
01-55-5080-2000. U.S. citizens may also contact the Embassy by e-mail.

16 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2014: ACTUALIZACIONES SOBRE EL HURACÁN ODILE

(Sep 16, 2014)

Mexican military authorities are now evacuating travelers from the three
operational airports: San Jose de los Cabos International Airport, Los Cabos
Airport, and La Paz Airport. Travelers should assess the safest route to the
nearest airport and move there expeditiously during daylight hours..

Though it has weakened significantly, Odile continues to pose a substantial
threat, with strong winds and heavy rainfall. The National Hurricane Center
predicts that the hurricane will remain over Baja California and Baja California Sur until at least Wednesday, September 17, bringing torrential rain and potentially damaging wind to the entire the peninsula. Heavy rainfall is
expected to cause localized flooding, especially in low lying areas with poor
drainage. Flash flooding and landslides may make low water road crossings
impassable for a time, including on Federal Highway 1 (Carretera
Transpeninsular).

The State Department has established a crisis hotline to respond to inquiries about current conditions and loved ones in the impacted area. If you require assistance personally, or wish to inquire on behalf of a friend or family member, please use the following contact information:

U.S. citizen residents and visitors who have been affected by the storm
should continue to follow instructions from state and municipal emergency
response teams and the Protección Civil. Everyone in hurricane-damaged areas should be alert for storm-related hazards, such as landslides, sinkholes,
standing water and downed electric cables, and limit their movement to only
absolutely essential travel. Baja California Sur is expecting warm, humid
weather in the coming days, so all affected persons are urged to drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated. However, in the immediate aftermath of a storm, tap water should not be trusted to be sanitary; use only bottled water until advised by municipal authorities.

General Preparation and Guidance

U.S. citizens are advised to monitor local media for updates or possible
changes to the potentially violent weather conditions and to follow any
instructions/warnings issued by the Mexican government. Preparations to protect
life and property should be considered. U.S. citizens should carry their travel
documents (i.e. U.S. passport book or passport card) with them at all times or
secure them by placing them in a safe, waterproof location. If you must travel
during this time, please take reasonable precautions such as avoiding entering
swiftly moving water. Drivers should remain vigilant for landslides.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico
enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)on the State Department’s website. STEP enrollment gives you the
latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest
U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department's website, where you can find current
Travel Warnings, (including the Travel Warning for Mexico), Travel Alerts, and
the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Mexico. For
additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel
restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States
and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available
from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S.
federal holidays). Follow us onTwitter and Facebook to have travel information
at your fingertips.

The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana is located at Paseo de Las Culturas y Camino al Aeropuerto, Mesa de Otay, Delegación Centenario, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico 22425, and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., telephone (664) 977-2000. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy/Consulate is(619) 692-2154 (dialing from the U.S. 011-52 + phone number); E-mail: ACSTijuana@state.gov.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Los Cabos is located at the Shoppes at Palmilla
local 221-B, Carretera Transpeninsular Km 27.5, San José del Cabo, Baja
California Sur, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., telephone (624)
143-3556. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy/Consulate
is (619) 692-2154 (dialing from the
U.S. 011-52 + phone number).

15 de septiembre del 2014: Actualizaciones sobre el Huracán Odile

15 de septiembre del 2014: Actualizaciones sobre el Huracán Odile

Hurricane Odile came ashore at Cabo San Lucas late Sunday night, and is projected to continue its north-northwest trajectory over the coming days. U.S. citizens who are in the path of the approaching storm are advised to take precautions and seek adequate shelter from the dangerous wind and rain. Citizens are urged to follow the instructions of Mexican Civil Protection authorities, and to prepare for the possibility of several days without electricity or running water.

Though it has weakened since its initial landfall, Odile continues to pose a substantial threat, with hurricane-strength winds and heavy rainfall. The National Hurricane Center predicts that the hurricane will remain over Baja California and Baja California Sur until at least Wednesday, September 17, bringing torrential rain and potentially damaging wind to the entire the peninsula. Heavy rainfall is expected to cause localized flooding, especially in low lying areas with poor drainage. Flash flooding and landslides may make low water road crossings impassable for a time, including on Federal Highway 1 (Carretera Transpeninsular).

Residents and visitors in communities located on or near the coast should exercise extreme caution and seek adequate shelter from the storm. Protección Civil has designated a number of schools in the area as storm shelters; location of shelters can be found on the Facebook page of Proteccion Civil, or by
calling 624-142-0067.

For U.S. citizens affected by Hurricane Odile, or their relatives

The State Department has established a crisis hotline to respond to inquiries about current conditions and loved ones in the impacted area. If you require assistance personally, or wish to inquire on behalf of a friend or family member, please use the following contact information

As of 9:00 a.m. Monday local time, the Cabo San Lucas and La Paz airports were closed. Visitors with flights scheduled for Monday or Tuesday should contact their flight carriers as soon as possible to make alternate travel arrangements.

U.S. citizen residents and visitors who have been affected by the storm should continue to follow instructions from state and municipal emergency response teams and the Protección Civil. Everyone in hurricane-damaged areas should be alert for storm-related hazards, such as landslides, sinkholes, standing water and downed electric cables, and limit their movement to only absolutely essential travel. Baja California Sur is expecting warm, humid weather in the coming days, so all affected persons are urged to drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated. However, in the immediate aftermath of a storm, tap water should not be trusted to be sanitary; use only bottled water until
advised by municipal authorities.

General Preparation and Guidance

U.S. citizens are advised to monitor local media for updates or possible changes to the potentially violent weather conditions and to follow any instructions/warnings issued by the Mexican government. Preparations to protect life and property should be considered. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents (i.e. U.S. passport book or passport card) with them at all times or secure them by placing them in a safe, waterproof location. If you must travel during this time, please take reasonable precautions such as avoiding entering swiftly moving water. Drivers should remain vigilant for landslides.

Regularly monitor theState Department's website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, (including the Travel Warning for Mexico), Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Mexico. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States
and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.
These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday
through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to have travel information at
your fingertips.

The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana is located at Paseo de Las Culturas y Camino al
Aeropuerto, Mesa de Otay, Delegación Centenario, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico 22425, and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., telephone (664)
977-2000. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance,the emergency number for the U.S.
Embassy/Consulate is (619) 692-2154(dialing from the U.S.
011-52 + phone number); E-mail:ACSTijuana@state.gov.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Los Cabos is located at the Shoppes at Palmilla local 221-B, Carretera Transpeninsular Km 27.5, San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., telephone (624) 143-3556. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance,the emergency number for the U.S.
Embassy/Consulate is (619) 692-2154(dialing from the U.S. 011-52 + phone number).

Alerta de Viaje para México, 15 de agosto del 2014

Alerta de Viaje para México, 15 de agosto del 2014

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the risk of traveling to certain places in Mexico due to threats to safety and security posed by organized criminal groups in the country.U.S. citizens have been the target of violent crimes, such as kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery by organized criminal groups in various Mexican states. For information on security conditions in specific regions of Mexico, which can vary, travelers should reference the state-by-state assessments further below. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Mexico, issued January 9, 2014, to update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.

This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Mexico, issued January 9, 2014, to update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.

General Conditions: Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that organized criminal groups have targeted U.S. visitors or residents based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes. Nevertheless, U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter organized criminal groups that engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico. The groups themselves are engaged in a violent struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity. Crime and violence are serious problems and can occur anywhere. U.S. citizens have fallen victim to criminal activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking, and highway robbery. While many of those killed in organized crime-related violence have themselves been involved in criminal activity, innocent persons have also been killed. The number of U.S. citizens reported to the Department of State as murdered in Mexico was 71 in 2012 and 81 in 2013. Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place in towns and cities in many parts of Mexico. Gun battles have occurred in broad daylight on streets and in other public venues, such as restaurants and clubs. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area.Criminal organizations have used stolen cars, buses, and trucks to create roadblocks on major thoroughfares, preventing the military and police from responding to criminal activity. The location and timing of future armed engagements is unpredictable. We recommend that you defer travel to the areas specifically identified in this Travel Warning and exercise extreme caution when traveling throughout the other areas for which advisories are in effect.

The number of kidnappings throughout Mexico is of particular concern and appears to be on the rise. According to statistics published by the Mexican Secretaria de Gobernacion (SEGOB), in 2013 kidnappings nationwide increased 20 percent over the previous year. While kidnappings can occur anywhere, according to SEGOB, during this timeframe, the states with the highest numbers of kidnappings were Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Michoac?n, Estado de Mexico, and Morelos. Additionally, according to a widely publicized study by the agency responsible for national statistics (INEGI, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography), Mexico suffered an estimated 105,682 kidnappings in 2012; only 1,317 were reported to the police. Police have been implicated in some of these incidents. Both local and expatriate communities have been victimized. Nearly 70 kidnappings of U.S. citizens were reported to the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Mexico between January and June of 2014.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to lower their personal profiles and to avoid displaying indicators of wealth such as expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or cameras. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain awareness of their surroundings and avoid situations in which they may be isolated or stand out as potential victims.

Kidnappings in Mexicohave included traditional, "express," and "virtual" kidnappings. Victims of traditional kidnappings are physically abducted and held captive until a ransom is paid for release. "Express" kidnappings are those in which a victim is abducted for a short time and forced to withdraw money, usually from an ATM, then released. A "virtual" kidnapping is anextortion-by-deception scheme wherein a victim is contacted by phone and convinced to isolate themselves from family and friends until a ransom is paid. The victim is coerced (by threat of violence)to remain isolated and to provide phone numbers for the victim's family orloved ones. The victim's family is then contactedand a ransom for the "kidnapped" extracted. Recently, some travelers to Mexico staying at hotels as guests have been targets of such "virtual"kidnapping schemes.

Of particular safety concern are casinos, sportsbooks, or other gambling establishments and adult entertainment establishments. U.S. government personnel are specifically prohibited from patronizing these establishments in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas.

Carjacking and highway robbery are serious problems in many parts of the border region, and U.S. citizens have been murdered in such incidents. Most victims who complied with carjackers' demands have reported that they were not physically harmed. Carjackers have shot at vehicles that have attempted to flee. Incidents have occurred during the day and at night, and carjackers have used a variety of techniques, including roadblocks, bumping/moving vehicles to force them to stop, and running vehicles off the road at high speeds. There are indications that criminals target newer and larger vehicles, especially dark-colored SUVs. However, even drivers of old sedans and buses coming from the United States have been targeted. While violent incidents can occur anywhere and at any time, they most frequently occur at night and on isolated roads. To reduce risk when traveling by road, we strongly urge you to travel between cities throughout Mexico only during daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads ("cuotas") whenever possible.

The Mexican government has deployed federal police and military personnel throughout the country as part of its efforts to combat organized criminal groups. U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican roads and highways by car or bus may encounter government checkpoints, staffed by military or law enforcement personnel. In some places, criminal organizations have erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, at times wearing police and military uniforms, and have killed or abducted motorists who have failed to stop at them. You should cooperate at all checkpoints.

The Department imposes restrictions on U.S. government employees' travel in Mexico. Since July 2010, USG employees are prohibited from driving on non-official travel from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior of Mexico or Central America. One exception is that personal travel by motor vehicle is permitted on Highway 15 toll road between Hermosillo and Nogales during daylight hours.

U.S. government personnel and their families are prohibited from personal travel to all areas to which it is advised to "defer non-essential travel". When travel for official purposes is essential, it is conducted with extensive security precautions. U.S. government personnel and their families are allowed to travel for personal reasons to the areas where no advisory is in effect or where the advisory is to exercise caution. While the general public is not forbidden from visiting places categorized under "defer non-essential travel," U.S. government personnel will not be able to respond quickly to an emergency situation in those areas due to security precautions that must be taken by U.S. government personnel to travel to those areas.

Below is a state-by-state assessment of security conditions throughout Mexico.Travelers should be mindful that even if no advisories are in effect for a given state, crime and violence can still occur. For general information about travel and other conditions in Mexico, see our Country Specific Information.

Aguascalientes:You should exercise caution when traveling to the areas of the state that border the state of Zacatecas, as criminal organization activity in that region continues. There is no advisory in effect for daytime travel to the areas of the state that do not border Zacatecas; however, intercity travel at night is not recommended.

Baja California: Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada and Mexicali are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Baja California -Exercise caution in the northern state of Baja California, particularly at night. Criminal activity along highways and at beaches is a continuing security concern. In 2013, homicide rates in Tijuana and Rosarito increased 48 percent and 67 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Baja State Secretariat for Public Security, and both cities experienced further increases in homicide rates during the first half of 2014. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have occurred during daylight hours.

Baja California (Sur): Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Southern Baja California -No advisory is in effect.

Campeche:No advisory is in effect.

Chiapas: San Cristobal de las Casas is a major city/travel destination in Chiapas -No advisory is in effect.

Chihuahua: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Copper Canyon are major cities/travel destinations in Chihuahua -Exercise caution in traveling to the business and shopping districts in the northeast section of Ciudad Juarez and its major industrial parks, and the central downtown section and major industrial parks in Chihuahua City. U.S. citizens should defer non-essential travel to other areas of these cities and anywhere else in the state of Chihuahua and travel during daylight hours between cities. In Ciudad Juarez, personal travel by U.S. government employees outside the north/central and northeast portion of the city near the Consulate General is restricted and private U.S. citizens should defer non-essential travel to those areas as well. In Chihuahua City, U.S. government personnel and their family members are permitted to travel only to the central business districts and the city's airport. Personal vehicular travel during daylight hours by U.S. government personnel and family members is authorized between Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua using the Highway 45 toll road. Although homicide rates in Ciudad Juarez have decreased markedly from a peak several years ago, the city still has one of the highest homicide rates in Mexico. Crime and violence remain serious problems throughout the state of Chihuahua, particularly in the southern portion of the state and in the Sierra Mountains, including Copper Canyon. U.S. citizens do not, however, appear to be targeted based on their nationality.

Coahuila:Defer non-essential travel to the state of Coahuila except the city of Saltillo, where you should exercise caution. Violence and criminal activity along the highways are continuing security concerns, particularly along the northern border between Piedras Negras and Nuevo Laredo. The state of Coahuila continues to experience high rates of violent crimes and narcotics-related murders. Criminal organizations continue to compete for territory and coveted border crossings to the United States. Violent crime, including murder, kidnapping, and armed carjacking, continues to be a concern.

Colima:Manzanillo is a major city/travel destination in Colima - Defer non-essential travel to the areas of the state of Colima that border the state of Michoacan, including the city of Tecoman. The security situation along the Michoacan border continues to be the most unstable in the state, with gun battles occurring between rival criminal groups and with Mexican authorities. Intercity travel at night is not recommended.

Durango:Defer non-essential travel to the state of Durango except the city of Durango, where you should exercise caution. Violence and criminal activity along the highways are a continuing security concern. Several areas in the state continue to experience high rates of violence and remain volatile and unpredictable. U.S. government personnel may not travel outside the city of Durango and must abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. within a secured venue. Estado de Mexico: Toluca and Teotihuacan are major travel destinations in Estado de Mexico -Defer non-essential travel to the municipalities of Coacalco, Ecatepec, Nezahualcoyotl, La Paz, Valle del Chalco, Solidaridad, Chalco, and Ixtapaluca, which are eastern portions of the greater Mexico City metropolitan area, located just to the east of the Federal District of Mexico and Benito Juarez airport, unless traveling directly through the areas on major thoroughfares. These areas have seen high rates of crime and insecurity. You should also defer non-essential travel on any roads between Santa Marta in the southeast portion of the state and Huitzilac in the state of Morelos, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas. Guanajuato: San Miguel de Allende and Leon are major cities/travel destinations in Guanajuato -No advisory is in effect.

Guerrero: Acapulco, Ixtapa, Taxco and Zihuatanejo are major cities/travel destinations in Guerrero- Defer non-essential travel to the northwestern and southern portions of the state (the area west and south of the town of Arcelia on the border with Estado de Mexico in the north and west and south of the town of Tlapa near the border with Oaxaca), except for the cities of Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Ixtapa. In those cities, you should exercise caution and stay within tourist areas. You should also exercise caution and travel only during daylight hours on toll highway ("cuota") 95D between Mexico City and Acapulco. Use the toll road towards the Playa Diamante area and avoid the highway running through the city of Acapulco for travel to and from Acapulco. In Acapulco, defer non-essential travel to areas further than 2 blocks inland of the Costera Miguel Aleman Boulevard, which parallels the popular beach areas. Lodging for U.S. government personnel is limited to the "Hotel Zone" of Acapulco, beginning from the Hotel Avalon Excalibur Acapulco in the north and going south through Puerto Marquez including the Playa Diamante area. Any activity outside the Hotel Zone for U.S. government personnel is limited to the coastal area from La Quebrada to the beginning of the Hotel Zone and only during daylight hours. In general, the popular tourist area of Diamante, just south of the city, has been less affected by violence. Flying into the coastal cities in southern Guerrero remains the preferred method of travel. You should defer non-essential travel by land between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, travel to Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa only by air, and exercise caution while in Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa. If traveling by land, use toll highway 200 between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa. You should also exercise caution in the northern region of Guerrero (the area north of the town of Arcelia on the border with Estado de Mexico in the north and north and east of the town of Tlapa near the border with Oaxaca). The state of Guerrero was the most violent state in Mexico in 2013, with 2,087 homicides and 207 reported cases of kidnapping, according to the Mexican Secretariado Ejecutivo Nacional de Seguridad Publica. Self-defense groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Armed members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and, although not considered hostile to foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be considered volatile and unpredictable. Hidalgo:No advisory is in effect.

Jalisco:Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Lake Chapala are major cities/travel destinations in Jalisco- Defer non-essential travel to areas of the state that border the states of Michoacan and Zacatecas. The security situation along the Michoacan and Zacatecas borders continues to be unstable and gun battles between criminal groups and authorities occur. Concerns include roadblocks placed by individuals posing as police or military personnel and recent gun battles between rival criminal organizations involving automatic weapons. You should exercise caution in rural areas and when using secondary highways, particularly along the northern border of the state. Except for the areas of the state that border Michoacan, there is no advisory in effect for daytime travel within major population centers or major highways in the state of Jalisco. Intercity travel at night is not recommended. There is no recommendation against travel to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. There is also no recommendation against travel on principal highways in Jalisco between Guadalajara including the portions that cross into the southern portions of the state of Nayarit.

Mexico City (also known as the Federal District):No advisory is in effect. See also the discussion in the section on Estado de Mexico for areas within the greater Mexico City metropolitan area.

Michoacan:Morelia is a major city/travel destination in Michoacan- Defer non-essential travel to the state of Michoacan except the cities of Morelia and Lazaro Cardenas and the area north of federal toll road 15D, where you should exercise caution. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling by land in Michoacan except on federal toll road 15D during daylight hours. Flying into Morelia and Lazaro Cardenas is the recommended method of travel. Attacks on Mexican government officials, law enforcement and military personnel, and other incidents of organized crime-related violence, have occurred throughout Michoacan. Federal authorities deployed some 9,000 federal security forces to Michoacan in January 2014 to address rising insecurity, particularly in the entire western part of the state. Due to criminal activity in Lazaro Cardenas, the Mexican military assumed direct control of the port in late 2013. Government authorities incorporated some of the self-defense groups that had operated independently of the government in recent months into a new state police unit in May. Armed members of some other self-defense groups maintain roadblocks and, although not considered hostile to foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be considered volatile and unpredictable. Some groups in Michoacan are reputed to be linked to organized crime.

Morelos: Cuernavaca is a major city/travel destination in Morelos- Exercise caution in the state of Morelos due to the unpredictable nature of organized crime violence. You should also defer non-essential travel on any roads between Huitzilac in the northwest corner of the state and Santa Marta in the state of Mexico, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas. On August 24, 2012, two U.S. government employees were injured after being fired upon by Federal Police officers on a non-toll road north of Tres Marias, Morelos. Numerous incidents of organized crime-related violence have also occurred in the city of Cuernavaca.

Nayarit:Defer non-essential travel to areas of the state of Nayarit that border the states of Sinaloa or Durango, as well as all rural areas and secondary highways. There is no recommendation against travel to the Vallarta-Nayarit area in the southern portion of the state known as the Riviera Nayarit, Tepic, Xalisco, and San Blas, or to principal highways in the southern portion of the state used to travel from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta. Intercity travel at night is not recommended.

Nuevo Leon: Monterrey is a major city/travel destination in Nuevo Leon - Defer non-essential travel to the state of Nuevo Leon except the metropolitan area of Monterrey, where you should exercise caution. Although the level of organized crime-related violence and general insecurity in Monterrey has decreased dramatically within the last 18 months, sporadic incidents of violence have occurred in the greater Monterrey area. Security services in and around Monterrey are robust and have proven responsive and effective in combating violent crimes; however, instances of violence remain a concern in the more remote regions of the state. Criminal organizations have kidnapped, and in some cases murdered, U.S. citizens, even when ransom demands are met. As a result of a Department of State assessment of the overall security situation, U.S. government personnel and their dependents may not travel outside the San Pedro Garza Garcia municipal boundaries between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., except for travel to the airport after 5 a.m. Oaxaca: Oaxaca, Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are major cities/travel destinations in Oaxaca -No advisory is in effect.

Puebla:No advisory is in effect. Queretaro:No advisory is in effect. Quintana Roo: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum are major cities/travel destinations in Quintana Roo- No advisory is in effect. San Luis Potosi:Defer non-essential travel to the state of San Luis Potosi, except the city of San Luis Potosi, where you should exercise caution. Violence and criminal activity along highways are continuing security concerns. U.S. government personnel may not travel outside the City of San Luis Potosi and must abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. within a secured venue.

Sinaloa: Mazatlan is a major city/travel destination in Sinaloa -Defer non-essential travel to the state of Sinaloa except the city of Mazatlan, where you should exercise caution, particularly late at night and in the early morning. One of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations is based in the state of Sinaloa, and violent crime rates remain high in many parts of the state. Travel off the toll roads in remote areas of Sinaloa is especially dangerous and should be avoided. We recommend that any travel in Mazatlan be limited to Zona Dorada and the historic town center, as well as direct routes to/from these locations and the airport. Sonora: Nogales, Puerto Penasco, Hermosillo, and San Carlos are major cities/travel destinations in Sonora -Sonora is a key region in the international drug and human trafficking trades and can be extremely dangerous for travelers. Travelers throughout Sonora are encouraged to limit travel to main roads during daylight hours. The region west of Nogales, east of Sonoyta, and from Caborca north, including the towns of Saric, Tubutama, and Altar, and the eastern edge of Sonora bordering Chihuahua, are known centers of illegal activity, and non-essential travel between these cities should be avoided. Travelers should also defer non-essential travel to the eastern edge of the state of Sonora, which borders the state of Chihuahua (all points along that border east of the northern city of Agua Prieta and the southern town of Alamos), and defer non-essential travel within the city of Ciudad Obregon and south of the city of Navojoa. You should exercise caution while transiting Vicam in southern Sonora due to roadblocks that can be instituted ad hoc by local indigenous and environmental groups. U.S. citizens visiting Puerto Pe?asco should use the Lukeville, Arizona/Sonoyta, Sonora border crossing, and limit driving to daylight hours. Tabasco: Villahermosa is a major city/travel destination in Tabasco -No advisory is in effect.

Tamaulipas: Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, and Tampico are major cities/travel destinations in Tamaulipas - Defer non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas. All U.S. government employees are prohibited from personal travel on Tamaulipas highways outside of Matamoros, Reynosa, and Nuevo Laredo due to the risks posed by armed robbery and carjacking, particularly along the northern border. Traveling outside of cities after dark is not recommended. While no highway routes through Tamaulipas are considered safe, the highways between Matamoros-Ciudad Victoria, Reynosa-Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad Victoria-Tampico, Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo, and Monterrey-Reynosa, are more prone to criminal activity. In Matamoros, U.S. government employees are subject to movement restrictions between midnight and 6 a.m.

Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo, and Ciudad Victoria have experienced numerous gun battles and attacks with explosive devices in the past year. Violent conflicts between rival criminal elements and/or the Mexican military can occur in all parts of the region and at all times of the day. The number of reported kidnappings for Tamaulipas is among the highest in Mexico, and the number of U.S. citizens reported to the consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo as being kidnapped, abducted, or disappearing involuntarily in the first half of 2014 has also increased. In May 2014, a Mexican state and federal security initiative was announced focused on combating increased violence in the state.

Tlaxcala:No advisory is in effect.

Veracruz:Exercise caution when traveling in the state of Veracruz. The state of Veracruz continues to experience violence among rival criminal organizations. Mexican federal security forces continue to assist state and local security forces in providing security and combating organized crime.

Yucatan: Merida and Chichen Itza are major cities/travel destinations in Yucatan -No advisory is in effect. Zacatecas:Defer non-essential travel to areas of Zacatecas near the border with other Mexican states. Exercise caution in the interior of the state including the city of Zacatecas. Robberies, carjackings, and organized criminal activity remain a concern. Gun battles between criminal groups and authorities have occurred in the area of the state bordering the state of Jalisco. Extreme caution should be taken when traveling in the remainder of the state. U.S. government personnel may not travel outside the city of Zacatecas after dark and must abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. within a secured venue. Further Information

Información para votaciones 2014

Celebrate democracy this 4th of July by taking the necessary steps to vote in the 2014 U.S. elections!

In order to vote in the November 2014 elections, all overseas U.S. citizens need to have completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2014. Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, you must complete an FPCA each year to participate in elections as an overseas absentee voter.

You can always get voting assistance from the Embassy/Consulate during the times designated for American Citizens’ Services at the office you are visiting. You may also drop off your completed voting forms and ballots, addressed to your local election officials, during normal business hours.

Normal transit time from Mexico to the United States is 3-5 business days depending upon proximity to the border.

If you have never voted while overseas before, the process is easy -- just follow these steps:

Whether you are a first-time voter or have voted absentee in past elections, complete an FPCA to receive your ballot this fall. It allows you to register to vote and request absentee ballots for all elections for federal offices (presidential and state primaries, run-off, special, and the November general elections) during the course of the year in which you submit the FPCA. Local election officials in all U.S. states and territories accept the FPCA.

The online voting assistant available at FVAP.gov is an easy way to complete the FPCA. It will ask you questions specific to your state and tell you if electronic ballot delivery is possible. No matter which state you vote in, we encourage you to ask your local election officials to deliver your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state). Be sure to include your email address to take advantage of electronic delivery. The online voting assistantwill generate a printable FPCA, which you can then print and sign.

2. Submit the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

See the information at the beginning of this message for options to drop off your FPCA in person to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, or any of the nine Consulates throughout the country.

If it’s more convenient for you, you can have a friend or family member drop off your FPCA to the Embassy or a Consulate on your behalf or you can send your FPCA or ballot directly to your local election officials via international mail or professional courier service at your own expense. Those living very close to the border may prefer to take their ballots or FPCA to a post office or mailbox in the U.S.

3. Receive Your Ballot

After submitting your FPCA, most states allow you to confirm online your registration and ballot delivery selection. States are now required to send out ballots 45 days before an election for federal office (President, U.S. Senate, or U.S. House of Representatives) to any overseas U.S. citizen who has completed an FPCA.

4. Return Your Ballot

As with the FPCA, you can return your voted ballot to your local election officials free of charge via the nearest Embassy or Consulate or mail it directly at your own expense.

Your Vote Counts

Many U.S. elections within the past ten years have been decided by a margin of victory of less than 0.1%. All states are required to count every absentee ballot as long as it is valid and reaches local election officials by the absentee ballot receipt deadline (differs by state).

Be an educated voter. Check out the FVAP links page for helpful resources that will aid your research of candidates and issues. Non-partisan information about candidates, their voting records, and their positions on issues is widely available and easy to obtain via numerous websites such asProject Smart Voter. You can also read national and hometown newspapers online, and search the Internet to locate articles and information.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter andFacebook to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy/Consulate in Mexico City is located at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, D.F. and is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy dialing from Mexico is (01-55) 5080-2000 and dialing from the U.S. is 011-52-55-5080-2000.

Alerta de Viaje- Temporada de Huracanes 2014: 3 de junio del 2014

Alerta de Viaje- Temporada de Huracanes 2014: 3 de junio del 2014

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the upcoming Hurricane and Typhoon Seasons in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Season in the Atlantic begins June 1 and ends November 30. The Typhoon Season will last through the end of 2014, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and October. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends that those in hurricane- and typhoon-prone regions begin preparations for the upcoming seasons now. This Travel Alert expires on December 1, 2014.

The Atlantic Basin, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center expects to see a near-normal or below-normal hurricane season this year with a 50 percent chance of a below-normal season, a 40 percent chance of a near-normal season, and only a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season. NOAA predicts a likely development of El Nino during the summer or early fall and a 70 percent chance of 8 to 13 named storms, of which three to six are predicted to strengthen to a hurricane (with top winds of 74 mph or higher). Of those, one to two are expected to become major hurricanes (with top winds of 111 mph or higher, ranking Category 3, 4, or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). NOAA recommends that those in hurricane-prone regions begin preparations for the upcoming season now.

The Eastern Pacific: Hurricane season began May 15 and ends November 30. NOAA expects a near- or above-normal season, with a 50 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 40 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 10 percent chance of a below normal season. NOAA predicts a 70 percent chance of 14 to 20 named storms, of which six to eleven are expected to become hurricane strength. Of those, three to six are expected to become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale).

During and after some previous storms, U.S. citizens traveling abroad encountered dangerous and often uncomfortable conditions that lasted for several days while awaiting transportation back to the United States. In the past, many U.S. citizens were forced to delay travel (including return travel to the United States) due to infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight availability. Roads were also washed out or obstructed by debris, adversely affecting access to airports and land routes out of affected areas. Reports of looting and sporadic violence in the aftermath of natural disasters have occurred. Security personnel may not always be readily available to assist. In the event of a hurricane, travelers should be aware that they may not be able to depart the area for 24-48 hours or longer.

If you live in or travel to these areas during the hurricane or typhoon season, we recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses during an emergency. If a situation requires an evacuation from an overseas location, the U.S. Department of State will work with commercial airlines to ensure that U.S. citizens may depart as safely and efficiently as possible. Commercial airlines are the Department's primary source of transportation in an evacuation; other means of transport are utilized only as a last resort, are often more expensive, and will provide you with fewer destination options. U.S. law requires that any evacuation costs are your responsibility. For those in financial need, the U.S. Department of State has the authority to provide crisis evacuation and repatriation loans. For more information, please visit the Emergencies Abroad page on our website,http://www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/emergencies.html.

If you live in or are traveling to storm-prone regions, prepare for hurricanes and tropical storms by organizing a kit in a waterproof container that includes a supply of bottled water, non-perishable food items, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, any medications taken regularly, and vital documents (especially your passport and other identification). Emergency shelters often provide only very basic resources and may have limited medical and food supplies. NOAA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have additional tips on their websites,http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php andhttp://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

Monitor local radio, local media, and the National Weather Service to be aware of weather developments. Minor tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very quickly, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation. Inform family and friends of your whereabouts and remain in close contact with your tour operator, hotel staff, transportation providers (airlines, cruise lines, etc.), and local officials for evacuation instructions during a weather emergency.

We strongly encourage U.S. citizens to enroll with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through the U.S.Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, you will receive the most recent security and safety updates during your trip. Enrollment also ensures that you can be reached during an emergency. While we will do our utmost to assist you in a crisis, be aware that local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy/Consulate in Mexico City is located at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, D.F.and is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy dialing from Mexico is (01-55) 5080-2000 and dialing from the U.S. is 011-52-55-5080-2000.

Alerta Global

Alerta Global

The Department of State has issued this Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated September 25, 2013, to provide updated information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide.

The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Kidnappings and hostage events involving U.S. citizens have become increasingly prevalent as al Qa`ida and its affiliates have increased attempts to finance their operations through kidnapping for ransom operations. Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) are particularly effective with kidnapping for ransom and are using ransom money to fund the range of their activities. Kidnapping targets are usually Western citizens from governments or third parties that have established a pattern of paying ransoms for the release of individuals in custody. Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida, its affiliated organizations, and other terrorist groups continue to plan and encourage kidnappings of U.S. citizens and Westerners. U.S. citizens should closely monitor Travel Warnings and Alerts, as well as Country Specific Information, on the Department of State’s travel website to review the latest safety and security information for destination countries.

Information also suggests that al-Qa’ida and its affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, shopping malls, and other tourist destinations both in the United States and abroad where U.S. citizens gather in large numbers, including during holidays.

In early August 2013, the Department of State instructed certain U.S. embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations August 4 through August 10 because of security information received. The U.S. government took these precautionary steps out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may have planned to visit our installations.

U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Extremists have targeted and attempted attacks on subway and rail systems, aviation, and maritime services. In the past, these types of attacks have occurred in cities such as Moscow, London, Madrid, Glasgow, and New York City.

EUROPE:Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida, its affiliated organizations, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. and Western interests in Europe. Additionally, there is a continuing threat in Europe from unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but conducted on an individual basis. In the past several years, organized extremist attacks have been planned or carried out in various European countries. In October 2013 and twice in December 2013, suicide bombers targeted mass transportation in Volgograd, Russia, killing at least 70 people. In May 2013, in London, two Islamic extremists, unaffiliated with any group, killed a British soldier. The reported reason for the attack was to avenge the deaths of Muslims killed by British soldiers. On February 1, 2013, an individual detonated a bomb at a side entrance to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, killing one Embassy guard and injuring others. The Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (Devrimci Halk Kurtulus Partisi/Cephesi or DHKP/C) claimed responsibility on its website for the attack. The DHKP/C has stated its intention to commit further attacks against the United States, NATO, and Turkey. European governments have taken action to guard against terrorist attacks, and some have made official declarations regarding heightened threat conditions.

MIDDLE EAST and NORTH AFRICA: Credible information indicates terrorist groups also seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. The U.S. government remains highly concerned about possible attacks against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses, and perceived U.S. and Western interests. Terrorist organizations continue to be active in Yemen, including al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Security threat levels remain high in Yemen due to terrorist activities and civil unrest.

A number of extremist groups operate in Lebanon. As a result of spillover violence from the Syria crisis, Sunni groups are active and Hizballah, a group designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization, is also present. Sunni extremists have escalated the frequency and scope of indiscriminate bombings and small arms attacks against Lebanese Shia targets in Beirut, in addition to other locations throughout the country including Hermel and Arsal in eastern Lebanon. Other incidents, sometimes attributed to sectarian retaliatory actions, have occurred along the coast in Sidon and in Tripoli in northern Lebanon. Many of the attacks have targeted specific individuals or venues, but in all cases have resulted in death and harm to passersby in the vicinity. Although there is no evidence these attacks were directed specifically at U.S. citizens at this time, there is a real possibility of “wrong place, wrong time” harm to U.S. citizens. On February 19, twin suicide car bombings targeting the Iranian Cultural Center in a southern Beirut suburb killed at least seven people and wounded over 128 others. The al-Qa’ida-linked Abdallah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack. The same group also claimed responsibility for a double suicide bombing on November 19, 2013 that targeted the Iranian Embassy in south Beirut, which left at least 25 dead, and 150 injured. On December 27, 2013, a car bomb in downtown Beirut killed former Finance Minister Mohammad Chatah, and seven others, while injuring more than 70.

Iraq is experiencing levels of violence not seen since 2007, and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq (AQI)), is increasingly resurgent. Although U.S. interests have not been targeted directly, the threat of attacks against U.S. citizens, including kidnapping and terrorist violence, continues, even in Baghdad’s International Zone. Bahrain continues to see bouts of sectarian violence, with Shi’a insurgents conducting increasingly lethal IED attacks against Bahraini Government targets to include facilities and security forces. Al-Qa’ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and its affiliates are active throughout North Africa. In Algeria, terrorists sporadically attack Westerners and Algerian government targets, particularly in the Kabylie region, and near Algeria’s borders with Libya and Mali. Terrorists have targeted oil processing plants in Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. In Libya, various groups have called for attacks against U.S. citizens and U.S. interests. For instance, in October and December 2013, extremist groups in Libya made specific threats against U.S. government officials and U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Libya. Because of the presumption that foreigners, especially U.S. citizens, in Libya may be associated with the U.S. government or U.S. NGOs, travelers should be aware that they may be targeted by extremist groups seeking to injure or kill U.S. citizens, and should act accordingly with extreme caution. In addition, on December 5, 2013, a U.S. citizen teacher resident in Benghazi was killed in a drive-by shooting near his home.

Some elements in Iran remain hostile to the United States. U.S. citizens should remain cautious and be aware that there may be a more aggressive focus by the Iranian government on terrorist activity against U.S citizens. Continuing political and social unrest in Egypt has led to large demonstrations that have turned violent.

No part of Syria should be considered immune from violence, and throughout the country the potential exists for unpredictable and hostile acts, including kidnappings, sniper assaults, large and small-scale bombings, and chemical attacks, as well as arbitrary arrest, detention, and torture. There is also a threat from terrorism, including groups like ISIL and al-Nusrah Front as well as other extremist groups. Tactics for these groups include the use of suicide bombers, kidnapping, use of small and heavy arms, and improvised explosive devices in major city centers, including: Damascus, Aleppo, Hamah, Dara, Homs, Idlib, and Dayr al-Zawr. Public places, such as government buildings, shopping areas, and open spaces, have been targeted. Since the start of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in March 2011, the United States has received reports of 256 foreigners kidnapped in Syria, 80 of whom are still in captivity. The majority of the victims are journalists and aid workers.

AFRICA: A number of al-Qa’ida operatives and other extremists are believed to be operating in and around Africa. In February 2012, the emir of U.S-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, announced the alliance of the two organizations. Al-Shabaab has taken credit for the attack on the shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya on September 21, 2013, which claimed the lives of over 60 people and injured over a hundred more, including U.S. citizens. In the past year and a half, there have been numerous other attacks involving shootings, grenades, or explosive devices in Kenya. Over 100 people died in these attacks, and more than 200 people were injured. No U.S. citizens were among the casualties. Fourteen grenade and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks have occurred in Nairobi, illustrating an increase in the number of attacks and an advance in the sophistication of attacks.

Al-Shabaab assassinations, suicide bombings, hostage taking, and indiscriminate attacks in civilian-populated areas are also frequent in Somalia. Terrorist operatives and armed groups in Somalia have demonstrated their intent to attack Somali authorities, the African Union Mission in Somalia, and non-military targets such as international donor offices and humanitarian assistance providers. Additionally, the terrorist group al-Qa’ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has declared its intention to attack Western targets throughout the Sahel (an area that stretches across the African continent between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea to include Senegal, Mali, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan, and Eritrea). It has claimed responsibility for kidnappings, attempted kidnappings, and the murder of several Westerners throughout the region, including southern Algeria. Violent extremist elements including, but not limited to Ansar al-Dine, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad (MUJAO), al-Qaida in the Lands of Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and extremists tied to the newly formed al-Murabitun, remain active in the region. AQIM-related threats against Westerners in Mali and elsewhere increased following the initiation of the U.S.-supported, French-led intervention in northern and central Mali, where the security environment remains fluid. In neighboring Niger, terrorists formerly associated with AQIM conducted suicide attacks targeting a French mining facility and a Nigerien military compound in Agadez in late May of 2013.

The loosely organized group of factions known as Boko Haram continues to carry out significant improvised explosive device and suicide bombings in northern Nigeria, mainly targeting government forces and innocent civilians. Boko Haram and splinter group Ansaru have also claimed responsibility for the kidnappings of several Western workers and tourists, both in northern Nigeria and northern Cameroon; Ansaru has murdered virtually all of its hostages in the face of real or perceived rescue attempts, while Boko Haram allegedly received a large ransom payment for the release of a French family abducted near a tourist park in northern Cameroon. Late 2013 saw an increase in Boko Haram attacks and clashes with Nigerian government security forces in northern Nigeria. Boko Haram has also targeted women and children for kidnapping, reportedly kidnapping women in northern states for marriage as “slave brides.” Boko Haram is known to descend on whole towns, robbing banks and businesses, attacking police and military installations, and setting fire to private homes. In 2013, extremists have also targeted both Nigerians and foreign nationals involved in polio eradication efforts in northern Nigeria. Extremists attacked a school in northeast Nigeria, killing over 40 students, and have called for further attacks on educational institutions. Several agencies that have partnered with the U.S. government in the field of public health development in northern Nigeria have curtailed their activities in response to these threats. The president of Nigeria declared a state of emergency in three northeastern states in response to activities of extremist groups.

U.S. citizens considering travel by sea near the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Guinea, or in the southern Red Sea should exercise extreme caution, as there have been armed attacks, robberies, and kidnappings for ransom by pirates. The threat of hijacking to merchant vessels continues to exist in Somali territorial waters and as far as 1,000 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia, Yemen, and Kenya in international waters. There has also been a recent rise in piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea, including hijackings.

U.S. government maritime authorities advise mariners to avoid the port of Mogadishu and to remain at least 200 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. In addition, when transiting around the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Guinea, or in the Red Sea, it is strongly recommended that vessels travel in convoys and maintain good communications at all times. U.S. citizens traveling on commercial passenger vessels should consult with the shipping or cruise ship company regarding precautions that will be taken to avoid hijacking incidents. Commercial vessels should review the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration's Horn of Africa Piracy page for information on maritime advisories, self-protection measures, and naval forces in the region. Review our International Maritime Piracy Fact Sheet for information on piracy in the southern Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean.

SOUTH ASIA: The U.S. government continues to receive information that terrorist groups in South Asia may also be planning attacks in the region, possibly against U.S. government facilities, U.S. citizens, or U.S. interests. The presence of al-Qa’ida, Taliban elements, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, indigenous sectarian groups, and other terror organizations, many of which are on the U.S. government's list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, poses a potential danger to U.S. citizens in the region. Terrorists and their sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and ability to attack locations where U.S. citizens or Westerners are known to congregate or visit. Their actions may include, but are not limited to, vehicle-borne explosive attacks, improvised explosive device attacks, assassinations, carjackings, rocket attacks, assaults, or kidnappings.

Such attacks have occurred in a number of South Asian states, including Pakistan, where a number of extremist groups continue to target U.S. and other Western citizens and interests, and Pakistani government and military/law enforcement personnel. Suicide bombing attacks continue to occur throughout the country on a regular basis, often targeting government authorities such as police checkpoints and military installations, as well as public areas such as mosques, and shopping areas. U.S. citizens are increasingly targeted for kidnapping. No part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence, and throughout the country the potential exists for hostile acts, either targeted or random, against U.S. and other Western nationals at any time. Elements of the Taliban and the al-Qa’ida terrorist network, as well as other insurgent groups hostile to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, remain active. Insurgents continue to target various U.S. and Afghan government facilities, including a sophisticated, multiple-explosives and small-arms assault against the U.S. Consulate in Herat which killed two security guards and injured another 20 in September 2013. Insurgents also are increasingly targeting U.S. and foreign security convoys traveling in Kabul. In early February 2014, a lone vehicle borne improvised explosive device detonated in close proximity to a U.S. security convoy, killing three civilian contractors. There is an ongoing threat of kidnapping and assassination of U.S. citizens and non-governmental organization (NGO) workers throughout the country.

India has experienced terrorist and insurgent activities that may affect U.S. citizens directly or indirectly. Anti-Western terrorist groups, some of which are on the U.S. government's list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, have been active in India, including Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e Tayyiba. Terrorists have targeted public places in India frequented by Westerners, including luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas.

CENTRAL ASIA: Supporters of terrorist groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, al-Qa’ida, the Islamic Jihad Union, and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement remain active in Central Asia. These groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and may attempt to target U.S. government interests.

EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: Information from confirmed sources suggests that there is a continued risk of armed terrorist and criminal groups operating and planning attacks against foreigners, including U.S. citizens, in the East Asian and Pacific region. Extremist groups in the region have demonstrated the capability to carry out attacks in locations where Westerners congregate.

There is a risk of travel to the southern Philippines, specifically related to kidnapping threats in the Sulu Archipelago and the ongoing threat of violence on the island of Mindanao, particularly in Central Mindanao. U.S. citizens should defer non-essential travel to the Sulu Archipelago, due to the high threat of kidnapping of international travelers and violence linked to insurgency and terrorism there. U.S. citizens should continue to exercise extreme caution if traveling to Mindanao. In 2013, separatist and terrorist groups increased the tempo and scale of their activities and confrontations with Philippine security forces, with increased bombings, attacks on civilians and political leaders, and battles with security forces. In September 2013, elements of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) occupied portions of the city of Zamboanga and engaged in a lengthy battle with security forces which reduced large parts of the city to rubble.

The U.S. government has designated two groups, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. JI is linked to al-Qa’ida and other regional terrorist groups and has cells operating throughout Southeast Asia. On November 15, 2013, gunmen, linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group, raided a resort on Pom Pom Island off the eastern coast of Sabah, killing a tourist from Taiwan and taking his wife hostage. On December 20, Philippine authorities recovered her in a forest near the village of Talipao on the island of Jolo. Some media reports indicated she was released in exchange for a ransom payment. On December 2, Royal Malaysia Police announced the arrest of two suspects in Semporna, eastern Sabah, allegedly linked to the attack. Kidnappings-for-ransom occur in these areas. In addition to incursions on the coastal and island resorts themselves, criminal or terrorist bands may attempt to intercept boats ferrying tourists in the area.

--------------------Before You Go--------------------

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens living overseas or planning to travel abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). When you enroll in STEP, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. Enrolling will also make it easier for the Embassy to contact you in the event of an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date; it is particularly important when you enroll or update your information to include a current phone number and e-mail address.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to Traveler's Checklist.

U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

As the Department of State continues to develop information on potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, including Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, Country Specific Information, and Emergency and Security Messages, all of which are available on the Bureau ofConsular Affairs website. Stay up to date by bookmarking ourwebsite. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

In addition to information on the internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, from other countries, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday, Eastern Time (except U.S. federal holidays).

TEMPORADA DE HURACANES 2014: 14 DE MAYO DEL 2014

TEMPORADA DE HURACANES 2014: 14 DE MAYO DEL 2014

Hurricane Season

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and U.S. Consulates General in Mexico remind U.S. citizens that hurricane season is from May 15 to November 30 in the Pacific, and from June 1 to November 30 in the Atlantic. In the coming days, the Department of State will also issue a Travel Alert to remind U.S. citizens around the world of the upcoming season.

Be Prepared

U.S. citizens planning to visit places that are vulnerable to hurricanes should be aware of the chance of storms and make a plan in case of emergency. Even inland areas far from the coast can experience destructive winds, tornadoes, and floods from tropical storms and hurricanes. In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane, the Consulate will monitor the storm and send email messages to U.S. citizens who have enrolled with us. The Department of State may also issue a Travel Alert or Travel Warning to apprise the public of the situation.

Please check your passport and those of your family members to assure that they are still valid. As you may need to travel to the United States (or elsewhere) on short notice, it is important to have valid travel documents so that your trip is not unnecessarily delayed. If you plan to travel to the United States, please also ensure that any non-U.S. citizen family members also have valid Lawful Permanent Resident cards or U.S. visas or visit our website at mexico.usembassy.gov for more information on applying for a visa.

Your Checklist:

Prior to leaving the United States, register your travel plans on the State Department’s travel enrollment website athttps://step.state.gov/step/.

Check with your tour operator, airline, or charter flight regarding services back to the United States in the event of a hurricane, and the possibility of early return if a storm is forecasted for your region.

Activate your U.S. cell phone’s roaming service so that it works internationally to stay in regular contact with family and friends and advise them of your whereabouts.

Consider what arrangements you will make for your pets. Please note that the Mexican authorities and the U.S. government do not make accommodations for the care or transportation of pets during storm-related emergencies or evacuations.

Leave a detailed itinerary and your local contact information with a friend or family member in the United States.

Make two photocopies of the biographic identification page of your passport, airline tickets, driver’s license, and any credit cards you plan to take. Leave one copy of each with family or friends at home, and pack the other copies separately from the originals. You may also wish to scan these documents and store them electronically, such as on a flash drive or in an email account. If using traveler’s checks, leave a copy of the serial numbers of your traveler’s checks with a friend or relative at home.

Monitor local websites for storm-related information. In the country of Mexico, each state has a civil protection authority, called “Protección Civil,” that monitors storm progress and gives instructions on preparations, any need to evacuate coastal areas, etc. For Veracruz state, for example:http://www.veracruz.gob.mx/proteccioncivil/

Please also visit the following U.S. government websites for more information:

You have received this email message because you are enrolled with us. We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) attravel.state.gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter andFacebook to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is located at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, Mexico D.F., 06500 and is open from Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, except for U.S. and Mexican holidays. Our telephone number during and outside of business hours is 011-52-555-080-2000.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the San Miguel de Allende Consular Agency would like to inform the U.S. citizen community that effective June 2, 2014, San Miguel de Allende will no longer accept or process applications for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad. All such applications should be made directly to the Embassy in Mexico City.

The primary responsibility of a consular agency is to provide emergency services such as assistance in death cases, services to crime victims, and other special services. The discontinuation of acceptance of Consular Reports of Birth Abroad is necessary to ensure that San Miguel de Allende has adequate resources to continue to meet growing demand for emergency and other consular services in Guanajuato. As the resident U.S. citizen community has grown in recent years, the demand for such services has increased dramatically. In fact, San Miguel de Allende is the busiest consular agency in the world for passport services. Moving applications for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad to the Embassy will enable San Miguel de Allende’s staff to focus on its core responsibilities and better serve the community.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City accepts Consular Report of Birth Abroad applications by appointment every business day, and makes every effort to provide next-day appointments to applicants ready for interview. For instructions on how to make an appointment, please visit the Embassy’s website here.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy/Consulate in Mexico City is located at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, D.F.and is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy dialing from Mexico is (01-55) 5080-2000 and dialing from the U.S. is 011-52-55-5080-2000.

Votando en el 2014

Votando en el 2014

Your vote counts! Did you know that many recent U.S. elections have been decided by a margin smaller than the number of ballots cast by military and overseas voters. All states are required to count every absentee ballot as long as it is valid and reaches local election officials by the absentee ballot receipt deadline.

Follow a few simple steps to make sure that you can vote in the 2014 U.S. elections:

Registering to Vote: Complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Even if you have voted by absentee ballot in the past, you must complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to vote in the 2014 elections. The FPCA is accepted by all local election officials in all U.S. states and territories. It allows you to register to vote and to request absentee ballots for all regular, primary, run-off, and special elections for federal offices (President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives) during the course of the year it is submitted in.

You can complete the FPCA online at FVAP.gov. The online voting assistant will ask you questions specific to your state. It will tell you if your state allows the FPCA to be returned electronically or if you must submit a paper copy with original signature.

Receiving Your Ballot: Request Electronic Delivery! States are now required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office (President, U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives) and states generally send out ballots at least 30 days before primary elections. No matter which state you vote in, we encourage you to ask your local election officials to deliver your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state). Be sure to include your email address on your FPCA to take advantage of the electronic ballot delivery option. You can now also confirm your registration and ballot delivery onlinefor most states.

Researching the Candidates and Issues: Online Resources. Check out the FVAP links page for helpful resources that will aid your research of candidates and issues. Non-partisan information about candidates, their voting records, and their positions on issues are widely available and easy to obtain via numerous websites such as Project Smart Voter. You can also read national and hometown newspapers on-line, or search the Internet to locate articles and information. For information about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP's Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts viaFacebook and Twitter.

Returning Your Completed Ballot: Other Options. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials, you can do so free of charge at the nearest embassy or consulate. They must be in either postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient domestic U.S. postage, and must also be addressed to the relevant local election officials.

Mensaje para Ciudadanos Americanos-24 de septiembre del 2013

Dear U.S. citizens:

From Monday, September 30, 2013 through Thursday, October 3, 2013 the Acapulco Consular Agency will be closed to the public. No routine U.S. citizenservices will be handled at our office on this date. For emergencies involving U.S. citizens you may call the Embassy switchboard (see below) and be connected to a staff member for assistance.

We will resume normal operations on Friday, October 4, 2013.

If you received this email it means you are registered with us! Encourage your American friends, family, neighbors, and others you know to register at https://step.state.gov/step/. By registering, you make it easier for us to contact you in case of an emergency.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is located at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Col. Cuauhtemoc

This emergency message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico that the National Hurricane Center (NHC), www.nhc.noaa.gov/, has issued a warning for Hurricane Ingrid, currently located in the Gulf of Mexico on the eastern coast of Mexico near the states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz. According to Mexico’s La Comisión Nacional del Agua (CNA), www.cna.gob.mx, Ingrid is expected to make landfall Monday on the coasts north of Veracruz and south of Tamaulipas. From there, Ingrid is expected to move inland towards San Luis Potosi. Ingrid is expected to produce torrential rains of 10 to 15 inches over a large part of eastern Mexico. Isolated amounts of 25 inches of rain are also possible. These rains are likely to result in life-threatening flash floods and mud slides, especially in regions of mountainous terrain. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional of Mexico (SMN), http://smn.cna.gob.mx/, recommends that people residing in the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico and areas in eastern Mexico take precautions against the effects of rain, strong winds, and large and destructive waves.

Separately, the Government of Mexico has issued a tropical storm watch for Tropical Storm Manuel. Currently, Manuel is moving towards the southwestern coast of Mexico and is likely to make landfall late on Sept. 15. Manuel is expected to produce torrential rains of 5 to 15 inches in the states of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Queretaro, Mexico State, Distrito Federal, Morelos, and Oaxaca. Isolated amounts of 25 inches of rain are also possible. These rains are likely to result in life-threatening flash floods and mud slides, especially in regions of mountainous terrain. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional of Mexico (SMN), http://smn.cna.gob.mx/, recommends that people residing in the above-mentioned states take precautions against the effects of rain, strong winds, and large and destructive waves.

U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, local media, and the National Weather Service and Servicio Meteorológico Nacional to stay aware of area weather developments. Minor tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very quickly, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation. Travelers should apprise family and friends of their whereabouts and remain in close contact with hotel staff and/or local officials for evacuation instructions in a weather emergency.

In the aftermath of some previous storms, U.S. citizens traveling abroad have encountered uncomfortable and often dangerous conditions that have lasted for several days while awaiting transportation back to the United States. In the past, many U.S. citizens have been forced to delay travel due to infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight availability. Roads were also washed out or obstructed by debris, adversely affecting access to airports and land routes out of affected areas. Reports of looting and sporadic violence in the aftermath of natural disasters are not uncommon. Security personnel may not be readily available to assist at all times. In the event of a hurricane, travelers should be aware that they may not be able to depart the area for 24-48 hours or longer.

We strongly encourage U.S. citizens to enroll with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/. By enrolling, you will receive the most recent security and safety updates during your trip. Enrollment also ensures that you can be reached during an emergency. While we will do our utmost to assist you in a crisis, be aware that local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.

This message provides an update on the evolving extreme weather conditions in Mexico and follows the emergency message released September 15, 2013. Since that time, Manuel grew from a tropical storm to a hurricane and then weakened to a tropical rainstorm on its path northward along the western Mexican coast.

Clausura de Servicios de Agencia Consular de Ixtapa

Effective August 1st 2013, U.S. Consular Agency Ixtapa will no longer accept U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), or notary applications or appointments. For these services please consult the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City or visit the U.S. Consular Agency in Acapulco:

Alerta de Viaje para México, Julio 2013

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens about the security situation in Mexico. General information on the overall security situation is provided immediately below. For information on security conditions in specific regions of Mexico, which can vary, travelers should reference the state-by-state assessments further below.

This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated November 20, 2012 to consolidate and update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.

General Conditions:

Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. More than 20 million U.S. citizens visited Mexico in 2012. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime that is reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes.

Nevertheless, U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter TCOs which engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico. The TCOs themselves are engaged in a violent struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity. Crime and violence are serious problems and can occur anywhere. U.S. citizens have fallen victim to criminal activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery. While most of those killed in narcotics-related violence have been members of TCOs, innocent persons have also been killed. The number of U.S. citizens reported to the Department of State as murdered in Mexico was 113 in 2011 and 71 in 2012.

Gun battles between rival TCOs or with Mexican authorities have taken place in towns and cities in many parts of Mexico, especially in the border region. Gun battles have occurred in broad daylight on streets and in other public venues, such as restaurants and clubs. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area. TCOs have used stolen cars, buses and trucks to create roadblocks on major thoroughfares, preventing the military and police from responding to criminal activity. The location and timing of future armed engagements is unpredictable. We recommend that you defer travel to the areas indicated in this Travel Warning and exercise extreme caution when traveling throughout the northern border region.

The number of kidnappings and disappearances throughout Mexico is of particular concern. Both local and expatriate communities have been victimized. In addition, local police have been implicated in some of these incidents. We strongly advise you to lower your profile and avoid displaying any evidence of wealth that might draw attention.

Carjacking and highway robbery are serious problems in many parts of the border region, and U.S. citizens have been murdered in such incidents. Most victims who complied with carjackers at these checkpoints have reported that they were not physically harmed. Carjackers have shot at vehicles that fail to stop at checkpoints. Incidents have occurred during the day and at night, and carjackers have used a variety of techniques, including bumping/moving vehicles to force them to stop and running vehicles off the road at high speeds. There are some indications that criminals have particularly targeted newer and larger vehicles, especially dark-colored SUVs. However, victims driving a variety of vehicles, from late model SUVs to old sedans have also been targeted. While violent incidents have occurred at all hours of the day and night on both modern toll highways ("cuotas") and on secondary roads, they have occurred most frequently at night and on isolated roads. To reduce risk, if absolutely necessary to travel by road, we strongly urge you to travel between cities throughout Mexico only during daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads whenever possible. The Mexican government has deployed federal police and military personnel throughout the country as part of its efforts to combat the TCOs. U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican roads and highways may encounter government checkpoints, which are often staffed by military personnel or law enforcement personnel. TCOs have erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, at times wearing police and military uniforms, and killed or abducted motorists who have failed to stop at them. You should cooperate at all checkpoints.

The U.S. Mission in Mexico imposes restrictions on U.S. government employees' (U.S. citizens working at the Embassy and the nine consulates throughout Mexico) travel that have been in place since July 15, 2010. USG employees and their families are not permitted to drive for personal reasons from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior of Mexico or Central America. Personal travel by vehicle is permitted between Hermosillo and Nogales but is restricted to daylight hours and the Highway 15 toll road ("cuota").

USG personnel and their families are prohibited from personal travel to all areas to which it is advised to“defer non-essential travel”. When travel for official purposes is essential, it is conducted with extensive security precautions. USG personnel and their families are allowed to travel for personal reasons to the areas where no advisory is in effect or where the advisory is to exercise caution. While the general public is not forbidden from visiting places categorized under “defer non-essential travel,” USG personnel will not be able to respond quickly to an emergency situation in those areas due to security precautions that must be taken by USG personnel to travel to those areas.

Below is a state-by-state assessment of security conditions throughout Mexico. The accompanying map will help in identifying individual locations. Travelers should be mindful that even if no advisories are in effect for a given state, crime and violence can occur anywhere. For general information about travel and other conditions in Mexico, see our Country Specific Information.

Aguascalientes: You should exercise caution when traveling to the areas of the state that border the state of Zacatecas, as TCO activity in that region continues. There is no advisory in effect for daytime travel to the areas of the state that do not border Zacatecas; however, intercity travel at night is not recommended.

Baja California (north): Tijuana, Ensenada and Mexicali are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Baja California -see map to identify their exact locations: You should exercise caution in the northern state of Baja California, particularly at night. There were 278 homicides in Tijuana from January to June 2013. Mexicali’s murder rate has climbed from 14.3 per 100,000 in 2011 to 15.8 per 100,000 in 2012. In the majority of these cases, the killings appeared to be targeted TCO assassinations. Turf battles between criminal groups resulted in some assassinations in areas of Tijuana and Mexicali frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have occurred during daylight hours.

Baja California (South): Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Southern Baja California -see map to identify its exact location: No advisory is in effect.

Chihuahua: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Copper Canyon are major cities/travel destinations in Chihuahua -see map to identify their exact locations: You should defer non-essential travel to the state of Chihuahua. In Ciudad Juarez, personal travel by USG employees outside the northeast portion of the city (the area near the Consulate General) is restricted. Although homicides have decreased markedly—from a high of 3,100 homicides in 3010 to 749 in 2012—Ciudad Juarez still has one of the highest homicide rates in Mexico. Crime and violence remain serious problems throughout the state of Chihuahua, particularly in the southern portion of the state and in the Sierra Mountains, including Copper Canyon. U.S. citizens do not, however, appear to be targeted based on their nationality.

Coahuila: You should defer non-essential travel to the state of Coahuila. The State of Coahuila continues to experience high rates of violent crimes and narcotics-related murders. TCOs continue to compete for territory and coveted border crossings to the United States. The cities of Torreón, Saltillo, Piedras Negras, and Ciudad Acuña have seen an increase of violent crimes within the last six months, including murder, kidnapping, and armed carjacking. Of particular safety concern are casinos, sportsbooks, or other gambling establishments and adult entertainment establishments, which USG personnel are not permitted to frequent.

Colima:Manzanillo is a major city/travel destination in Colima - see map to identify its exact location: You should defer non-essential travel to the areas of the state of Colima that border the state of Michoacán, including the city of Tecoman. You should also exercise caution when travelling to other parts of the state, including Colima City and Manzanillo. The security situation along the Michoacan border continues to be the most unstable in the state with gun battles occurring between rival criminal groups and with Mexican authorities. Homicides throughout the state rose sharply from 113 in 2011 to 179 in 2012, according to official Mexican government sources.

Durango: You should defer non-essential travel to the state of Durango, except the city of Durango where you should exercise caution. Cartel violence and highway lawlessness are a continuing security concern. Several areas in the state continue to experience high rates of violence and remain volatile and unpredictable. The Mexican government deployed troops in March 2013 to quell TCO violence in the La Laguna area, which is comprised of the cities of Gomez Palacio and Lerdo in the state of Durango and the city of Torreon in the state of Coahuila. Of particular safety concern are casinos, sportsbooks, or other gambling establishments and adult entertainment establishments, which USG personnel are not permitted to frequent. USG personnel may not travel outside the city of Durango and must abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. within a secured venue.

Estado de Mexico: Toluca and Teotihuacan are major travel destinations in Estado de Mexico -see map to identify exact locations: You should defer non-essential travel to the municipalities of Coacalco, Ecatepec, Nezahualcoyotl, La Paz, Valle del Chalco, Solidaridad, Chalco, and Ixtapaluca, which are eastern portions of the greater Mexico City metropolitan area, located just to the east of the Federal District of Mexico and Benito Juarez airport, unless traveling directly through the areas on major thoroughfares. These areas have seen high rates of crime and insecurity. You should also defer non-essential travel on any roads between Santa Marta in the southeast portion of the state and Huitzilac in the state of Morelos, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas.

Guerrero: Acapulco, Ixtapa, Taxco and Zihuatanejo are major cities/travel destinations in Guerrero - see map to identify their exact locations: You should defer non-essential travel to the northwestern and southern portions of the state (the area west and south of the town of Arcelia on the border with Estado de Mexico in the north and the town of Tlapa near the border with Oaxaca), except for the cities of Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Ixtapa. In those cities, you should exercise caution and stay within tourist areas. You should also exercise caution and travel only during daylight hours on toll highway ("cuota") 95D between Mexico City and Acapulco and highway 200 between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa. In Acapulco, defer non-essential travel to areas further than 2 blocks inland of the Costera Miguel Aleman Boulevard, which parallels the popular beach areas. Lodging for USG personnel is limited to the “Hotel Zone” of Acapulco, beginning from the Hotel Avalon Excalibur Acapulco in the north and going south through Puerto Marquez including the Playa Diamante area. Any activity outside the Hotel Zone for USG personnel is limited to the coastal area from La Quebrada to the beginning of the Hotel Zone and only during daylight hours. In general, the popular tourist area of Diamante, just south of the city, has been less affected by violence. Flying into the coastal cities in southern Guerrero remains the preferred method of travel. You should defer non-essential travel by land between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, travel to Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa only by air, and exercise caution while in Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa. If travelling by automobile between Mexico City and Acapulco you should exercise caution and travel only during daylight hours on toll highway ("cuota") 95D, staying on the toll road towards the Playa Diamante area and avoiding the highway running through the city of Acapulco. You should also exercise caution in the northern region of Guerrero (the area north of the town of Arcelia on the border with Estado de Mexico in the north and the town of Tlapa near the border with Oaxaca). The state of Guerrero has seen an increase in violence among rival criminal organizations. Acapulco's murder rates increased dramatically since 2009; in response, in 2011 the Government of Mexico sent additional military and federal police to the state to assist State security forces in implementing ongoing operation “Guerrero Seguro” (Secure Guerrero) that focuses on combating organized crime and returning security to the environs of popular tourist areas. Self-defense groups operate independently of the government in the Costa Chica region of eastern Guerrero. Armed members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks, and although not considered hostile to foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be considered volatile and unpredictable.

Hidalgo: No advisory is in effect.

Jalisco: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Lake Chapala are major cities/travel destinations in Jalisco - see map to identify their exact locations: You should defer non-essential travel to areas of the state that borders the state of Michoacán. The security situation along the Michoacán and Zacatecas borders continues to be unstable and gun battles between criminal groups and authorities occur. Concerns include roadblocks placed by individuals posing as police or military personnel and recent gun battles between rival TCOs involving automatic weapons. You should exercise caution in rural areas and when using secondary highways, particularly along the northern border of the state. Except for the areas of the state that border Michoacan, there is no advisory in effect for daytime travel within major population centers or major highways in the state of Jalisco. Intercity travel at night is not recommended. There is no recommendation against travel to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. There is also no recommendation against travel on principal highways in Jalisco between Guadalajara including the portions that cross in to the southern portions of the state of Nayarit.

Mexico City (also known as the Federal District): No advisory is in effect. See also the discussion in the section on Estado de Mexico for areas within the greater Mexico City metropolitan area.

Michoacán: Morelia is a major city/travel destination in Michoacán - see map to identify exact locations: You should defer non-essential travel to the state of Michoacán except the cities of Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas where you should exercise caution. Flying into Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas is the recommended method of travel. Attacks on Mexican government officials, law enforcement and military personnel, and other incidents of TCO-related violence, have occurred throughout Michoacán. In the northwestern portion of the state, self-defense groups operate independently of the government. Armed members of the groups frequently maintain roadblocks, and although not considered hostile to foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be considered volatile and unpredictable. Groups in Michoacan are reputed to be linked to TCOs.

Morelos: Cuernavaca is a major city/travel destination in Morelos - see attached map to identify their exact locations: You should exercise caution in the state of Morelos due to the unpredictable nature of TCO violence. You should also defer non-essential travel on any roads between Huitzilac in the northwest corner of the state and Santa Marta in the state of Mexico, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas. On August 24, 2012 two USG employees were injured after being fired upon by Federal Police officers on an isolated road north of Tres Marias, Morelos. Numerous incidents of narcotics-related violence have also occurred in the city of Cuernavaca.

Nayarit: You should defer non-essential travel to areas of the state of Nayarit that border the states of Sinaloa or Durango, as well as all rural areas and secondary highways. You should exercise caution when traveling to the cities of Tepic, Xalisco, or San Blas. There is no recommendation against travel to the Vallarta-Nayarit area in the southern portion of the state also known as the Riviera Nayarit or to principal highways in the southern portion of the state used to travel from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta.

Nuevo Leon: Monterrey is a major city/travel destination in Nuevo Leon- see map to identify its exact location: You should defer non-essential travel to the state of Nuevo Leon, except the metropolitan area of Monterrey where you should exercise caution. Although the level of TCO violence and general insecurity in Monterrey has decreased within the last 12 months, sporadic gun battles continue to occur in the greater Monterrey area. Adult entertainment establishments and casinos continue to be targets of TCO activity. TCOs have kidnapped, and in some cases murdered American citizens, even when ransom demands are met. TCOs have been known to attack local government facilities, prisons and police stations, and are engaged in public shootouts with the military and between themselves. TCOs have used vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices against military and law enforcement units as well as incendiary devices against several types of businesses. Pedestrians and innocent bystanders have been killed in these incidents. Local police and private patrols have limited capacity to deter criminal elements or respond effectively to security incidents. As a result of a Department of State assessment of the overall security situation, the Consulate General in Monterrey is a partially unaccompanied post with no minor dependents of USG personnel permitted. USG personnel serving at the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey may not frequent casinos, sportsbooks, or other gambling establishments. USG personnel may not travel outside the San Pedro Garza Garcia municipal boundaries between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., except for travel to the airport after 5 a.m.

San Luis Potosi: You should defer non-essential travel to the state of San Luis Potosi, except the city of San Luis Potosi where you should exercise caution. The entire stretch of highway 57D in San Luis Potosi and portions of the state east of highway 57D towards Tamaulipas are particularly dangerous. A USG employee was killed and another wounded when they were attacked in their U.S. government vehicle on Highway 57 near Santa Maria del Rio in 2011. Cartel violence and highway lawlessness are a continuing security concern. USG personnel may not frequent casinos, sportsbooks, or other gambling establishments and adult entertainment establishments. USG personnel may not travel outside the City of San Luis Potosi and must abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. within a secured venue.

Sinaloa: Mazatlanis a major city/travel destination in Sinaloa -see map to identify its exact location: You should defer non-essential travel to the state of Sinaloa except the city of Mazatlan where you should exercise caution, particularly late at night and in the early morning. One of Mexico's most powerful TCOs is based in the state of Sinaloa. With the exception of Ciudad Juarez, since 2006 more homicides have occurred in the state's capital city of Culiacan than in any other city in Mexico. Travel off the toll roads ("cuotas") in remote areas of Sinaloa is especially dangerous and should be avoided. We recommend that any travel in Mazatlan be limited to Zona Dorada and the historic town center, as well as direct routes to/from these locations and the airport.

Sonora: Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, Hermosillo, and San Carlos are major cities/travel destinations in Sonora - see map to identify their exact locations: U.S. citizens visiting Puerto Peñasco should exercise caution and use the Lukeville, Arizona/Sonoyta, Sonora border crossing, in order to limit driving through Mexico. You should defer non-essential travel between the city of Nogales and the cities of Sonoyta and Caborca (which area also includes the smaller cities of Saric, Tubutama, and Altar), defer non-essential travel to the eastern edge of the State of Sonora which borders the State of Chihuahua (all points along that border east of the northern city of Agua Prieta and the southern town of Alamos), and defer non-essential travel within the city of Ciudad Obregon and southward with the exception of travel to Alamos (traveling only during daylight hours and using only the Highway 15 toll road, or "cuota", and Sonora State Road 162). Sonora is a key region in the international drug and human trafficking trades, and can be extremely dangerous for travelers. The region west of Nogales, east of Sonoyta, and from Caborca north, including the towns of Saric, Tubutama and Altar, and the eastern edge of Sonora bordering Chihuahua, are known centers of illegal activity. Travelers throughout Sonora are encouraged to limit travel to main roads during daylight hours.

Tabasco: Villahermosa is a major city/travel destination in Tabasco -see attached map to identify its exact location: No advisory is in effect.

Tamaulipas: Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, and Tampico are major cities/travel destinations in Tamaulipas -see map to identify their exact locations: You should defer non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas. All USG employees are prohibited from personal travel on Tamaulipas highways outside of Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo due to the tenuous security situation. In Matamoros, USG employees are subject to further movement restrictions between midnight and 6 a.m. USG employees may not frequent casinos and adult entertainment establishments. Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo, and Ciudad Victoria have experienced grenade attacks in the past year, as well as numerous reported gun battles. Nuevo Laredo has seen a marked increase in the number of murders, carjackings, and robberies in the past year. For example, the numbers of murders are up 92.5% over last year. These crimes occur in all parts of the city at all times of the day. The kidnapping rate for Tamaulipas, the highest for all states in Mexico, more than doubled in the past year. In February 2013, four masked and armed individuals attempted to kidnap a USG employee in Matamoros during daylight hours. All travelers should be aware of the risks posed by armed robbery and carjacking on state highways throughout Tamaulipas, particularly on highways and roads outside of urban areas along the northern border. Traveling outside of cities after dark is particularly dangerous. While no highway routes through Tamaulipas are considered safe, many of the crimes reported to the U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros have taken place along the Matamoros-Tampico highway.

Tlaxcala: No advisory is in effect.

Veracruz: You should exercise caution when traveling in the state of Veracruz. The state of Veracruz continues to experience violence among rival criminal organizations. Mexican federal security forces continue to assist state and local security forces in providing security and combating organized crime.

Zacatecas: You should defer non-essential travel within the state of Zacatecas to the area bordering the states of Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Durango, and Jalisco and exercise caution in the interior of the state including the city of Zacatecas. The regions of the state bordering Durango and Coahuila as well as the cities of Fresnillo and Fresnillo-Sombrete and surrounding area are particularly dangerous. The northwestern portion of the state of Zacatecas has become notably dangerous and insecure. Robberies and carjackings are occurring with increased frequency and both local authorities and residents have reported a surge in observed TCO activity. This area is remote, and local authorities are unable to regularly patrol it or quickly respond to incidents that occur there. Gun battles between criminal groups and authorities occur in the area of the state bordering the state of Jalisco. There have also been reports of roadblocks and false checkpoints on highways between the states of Zacatecas and Jalisco. The city of Fresnillo, the area extending northwest from Fresnillo along Highway 45 (Fresnillo-Sombrete) between Highways 44 and 49, and highway 49 northwards from Fresnillo through Durango and in to Chihuahua are considered dangerous. Extreme caution should be taken when traveling in the remainder of the state. Of particular safety concern are casinos, sportsbooks, or other gambling establishments and adult entertainment establishments, which USG personnel may not frequent. USG personnel may not travel outside the City of Zacatecas after dark and must abide by a curfew of 1 a.m to 6 a.m. within a secured venue.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department's internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to enroll with the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate with responsibility for that person’s location in Mexico. For information on the ten U.S. consular districts in Mexico, complete with links to Embassy and Consulate websites, please consult the Mexico U.S. Consular District map. The numbers provided below for the Embassy and Consulates are available around the clock. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. U.S. citizens may also contact the Embassy by e-mail.

Actividad Volcánica Actual del Popocatépetl, Julio 2013

Message for U.S. Citizens - Update on Popocatepetl Volcano Activity and Emergency Preparedness

On July 6, 2013 the Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED) announced that the alert level for Popocatepetl Volcano is now Yellow Alert, phase 3, which is the fifth of seven possible levels. Some flights between Mexico and the US have been disrupted, so please check with individual airlines for the latest updates.

Per the CENAPRED announcement, activity is prohibited within a 12 kilometer radius from the volcano. If you travel to other areas around Popocatepetl, you should familiarize yourself with evacuation plans, monitor news outlets, use good judgment, and take all appropriate safety measures as volcanic conditions—as well as wind direction—can change rapidly.

Please monitor local, national and international news media (print, radio, and television) for updates and to take appropriate measures to ensure personal safety and well-being during the heightened alert.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov. The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

Comienzo de la Temporada de Huracanes- 31 de mayo del 2013

The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel alert regarding the upcoming Hurricane Season in the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane season in the Atlantic begins June 1 and ends November 30. Please read the full text of the alert at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5980.html.

U.S. citizens planning to visit locations that are vulnerable to hurricanes should be aware of the chance of storms and make a plan in case of emergency. Even inland areas far from the coast can experience destructive winds, tornadoes, and floods from tropical storms and hurricanes.

Please check your passport and those of your family members to assure that they are still valid. As you may need to travel to the United States (or elsewhere) on short notice, it is important to have valid travel documents so that your trip is not unnecessarily delayed. If you plan to travel to the United States, please also ensure that any non-U.S. citizen family members also have valid Lawful Permanent Resident cards or U.S. visas or visit our website at http://www.travel.state.gov/ for more information on applying for a visa.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

Mensaje de Seguridad-Mayo 2013

Mensaje de Seguridad-Mayo 2013

Security Message for U.S. Citizens – Reminder of the Security Situation in Michoacan

Western Michoacan has experienced a rise in conflict between transnational criminal organizations and civilian self-defense groups (autodefensas) that has led to a disruption in travel and communication in the area and violent incidents. Elements of the Mexican military and Federal police have recently been deployed by the Mexican federal government in an effort to restore order. Some areas have accepted the introduction of these forces; in others there have been confrontations. The security situation remains fluid and the possibility of increased violence exists

The Embassy wishes to remind U.S. citizens of the most recent Travel Warning issued by the Department of State on November 20, 2012, which recommends that they defer all non-essential travel to the State of Michoacan with the exception of Morelia and Lazaro Cardenas, where they should exercise caution.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

Actualización del Popocatépetl, Mayo del 2013

Actualización del Popocatépetl, Mayo del 2013

The Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED) has announced that the alert level for Popocatepetl Volcano is Yellow Alert, phase 3, which is the fifth of seven possible levels. The volcano lies around 70km (40 miles) southeast of Mexico City. CENAPRED has also stated that recent changes in the volcano’s activity could be indicators of increased likelihood of expulsion of ash. Please review the CENAPRED website at http://www.cenapred.gob.mx/es/ for updates.

Per the CENAPRED announcement, activity is prohibited within a 12 kilometer radius from the volcano. If you travel to other areas around Popocatepetl, you should familiarize yourself with evacuation plans, monitor news outlets, use good judgment, and take all appropriate safety measures as volcanic conditions—as well as wind direction—can change rapidly.

Please monitor local, national and international news media (print, radio, and television) for updates and to take appropriate measures to ensure their personal safety and well-being during the heightened alert.

The State Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have very helpful guides for disaster preparedness available to you on-line at: www.travel.state.gov and at http://www.fema.gov/plan. The National Geographic website also has useful information on preparedness for volcano activity at

The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov. The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

In Acapulco, the Embassy suggests that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel to areas further than two blocks inland of the Costera Miguel Aleman Boulevard, which runs parallel to popular beach areas. Lodging should be limited to the “Hotel Zone” of Acapulco, beginning from the Hotel Avalon Excalibur Acapulco in the north and going south through Puerto Marquez including the Playa Diamante area. In general, the Playa Diamante area, just south of Acapulco Bay, has been less affected by violence and criminal activity. Any activity outside the Hotel Zone should be limited to the coastal area from La Quebrada to the beginning of the Hotel Zone and only during daylight hours. Flying to/from Acapulco is the preferred method of travel. If traveling by automobile, U.S. citizens should exercise caution and limit travel to the Highway 95D toll road, staying on the toll road towards the Playa Diamante area and avoiding the highway running through the city of Acapulco.

The Embassy also suggests that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa. (This is a change from the Travel Warning which previously stated travel on Highway 200 during daylight hours only.) Traveling to/from Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa by air is recommended, and U.S. citizens should exercise caution while in the cities of Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa.

The Embassy suggests that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel on any roads between Huitzilac, Morelos and Santa Martha, Estado de Mexico, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas.

The Embassy has also amended its restrictions on travel to seven municipalities (Coacalco, Ecatepec, Nezahualcoyotl, La Paz, Valle del Chalco Solidaridad, Chalco, and Ixtapaluca) in the Estado de Mexico. The Embassy suggests that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel to these municipalities unless traveling on the main thoroughfares through these seven municipalities.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) athttps://step.state.gov/step. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department's website at http://travel.state.gov, where you can find other current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. For additional information, refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" on the State Department's website.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov. The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

In Acapulco, the Embassy suggests that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel to areas further than two blocks inland of the Costera Miguel Aleman Boulevard, which runs parallel to popular beach areas. Lodging should be limited to the “Hotel Zone” of Acapulco, beginning from the Hotel Avalon Excalibur Acapulco in the north and going south through Puerto Marquez including the Playa Diamante area. In general, the Playa Diamante area, just south of Acapulco Bay, has been less affected by violence and criminal activity. Any activity outside the Hotel Zone should be limited to the coastal area from La Quebrada to the beginning of the Hotel Zone and only during daylight hours. Flying to/from Acapulco is the preferred method of travel. If traveling by automobile, U.S. citizens should exercise caution and limit travel to the Highway 95D toll road, staying on the toll road towards the Playa Diamante area and avoiding the highway running through the city of Acapulco.

The Embassy also suggests that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa. (This is a change from the Travel Warning which previously stated travel on Highway 200 during daylight hours only.) Traveling to/from Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa by air is recommended, and U.S. citizens should exercise caution while in the cities of Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa.

The Embassy suggests that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel on any roads between Huitzilac, Morelos and Santa Martha, Estado de Mexico, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas.

The Embassy has also amended its restrictions on travel to seven municipalities (Coacalco, Ecatepec, Nezahualcoyotl, La Paz, Valle del Chalco Solidaridad, Chalco, and Ixtapaluca) in the Estado de Mexico. The Embassy suggests that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel to these municipalities unless traveling on the main thoroughfares through these seven municipalities.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) athttps://step.state.gov/step. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department's website at http://travel.state.gov, where you can find other current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. For additional information, refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" on the State Department's website.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov. The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

Aviso Importante para Viaje de Menores

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR TRAVEL OF MINORS

On January 31, 2013, the Mexican National Immigration Institute announced the Regulations of the Mexican Migration Law relating to the travel of minors were being suspended until January 24, 2014 (http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/Noticia_310113). The regulations would have required international air and sea carriers to verify that all minors (under 18 years of age) traveling alone or accompanied by a third party of legal age (grandparent, uncle/aunt, school group) possess a notarized document showing the consent of both parents or those with parental authority or legal guardianship, in addition to a passport, before entering or leaving Mexico. The implementation of these regulations will now be delayed.

The Embassy would like remind U.S. Citizens that Mexican law still allows Mexican authorities (e.g. Mexican immigration authorities) to require that any non-Mexican citizen under the age of 18 departing Mexico to provide written permission from any parent or guardian not traveling with the child to or from Mexico.

The State Department recommends that the permission should include travel dates, destinations, airlines and a brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the travel. The State Department also recommends that the child carry the original letter – not a facsimile or scanned copy – as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate or court document such as a custody decree, if applicable). Travelers should contact the Mexican Embassy or the nearest Mexican consulate for current information.

Alerta de Viaje a México- 20 de noviembre del 2013

Alerta de Viaje a México- 20 de noviembre del 2013

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens about the security situation in Mexico. General information on the overall security situation is provided immediately below. For information on security conditions in specific regions of Mexico, which can vary, travelers should reference the state-by-state assessments further below. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated February 8, 2012 to consolidate and update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.

Embassies and consulates are not polling places. The majority of states require voted ballots to reach local election officials by the close of polls on Tuesday, November 6. U.S. citizens who want to participate in the 2012 U.S. elections should already have returned their absentee ballots to their local election officials. U.S. embassies and consulates are not polling places; same-day in-person voting is not available outside the United States.

Ballot not yet sent to local election officials? All voters who wish to participate in this election who have not yet sent their ballots to their local election officials should consider returning their ballot to the United States via an express courier service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Some states or counties may allow you to return your voted ballot electronically. Check your state’s voting procedures at FVAP website for guidance.

Returning ballots via express courier service. Voters can hire express courier companies such as UPS, DHL, and FedEx to return voted ballots. Through October 31, FedEx is offering discounted shipping for last-minute voters in 94 countries through the Express Your Vote program. Ballots sent to local election officials via express courier service do not receive standard postmarks, so voters using this method should confirm delivery on or before November 6 prior to payment and shipment.

Returning your ballot by mail. Ballots sent via mail at this late date are unlikely to reach local election officials by state ballot receipt deadlines. If you still wish to send your voted ballot via mail, place your voted ballot in a U.S. postage-paid envelope addressed to your local election officials. Drop it off at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City or one of the nine U.S. Consulates throughout Mexico, and we'll send it back home for you without the need to pay international postage. If you can't visit the Embassy or consulate in person, ask a friend or colleague drop it off for you. You are advised to use the Embassy/consulate to mail materials only if dropped at our locations at least 7 days before the state's postmark deadline (allow extra time if the deadline is based on receipt not postmark). Due to the longer transit time (2-3 weeks), we no longer recommend dropping voting materials at the many U.S. consular agencies in Mexico. But any materials dropped at the Embassy, consulates, and consular agencies, will be forwarded in the diplomatic mail system since only the state election officials—not personnel in the Embassy or consulates—determine if it is timely. If using international commercial mail (as noted above this option is highly recommend if your state does not allow electronic return of the ballot) also be sure to allow sufficient time for international mail delivery.

Have Questions? Please contact a Voting Assistance Officer in the American Citizen Services Unit of U.S. Embassy Mexico City at ACSMexicoCity@state.gov or (55) 5080-2000 (dial 0 to ask for ACS regarding Voting Assistance).

Agencias Consulares- Cambios en la Entrega de Pasaportes

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City announces that U.S. citizens applying for passports at the U.S. Consular Agencies in Acapulco, Ixtapa, Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende on or after October 15, 2012, will no longer retrieve their passports at the agencies.

U.S. citizens applying on or after that date will pay a courier service for delivery of the passport from Mexico City to their home or the courier company’s nearest office.

This change will provide better customer service to our U.S. citizens. Additionally, the change will bring applications from the four consular agencies into line with the current practice for citizens who submit their applications at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and other U.S. embassies and consulates.

The U.S. Embassy Mexico City’s current agreement for this courier service is with Pegaso Express. Passport delivery service within the Mexico City metropolitan area costs MP$80; outside of Mexico City the cost is MP$135. As mentioned, U.S. passport applicants will be required to pay for the delivery of their passport to their location from Mexico City (not the United States where the passport is produced).

The Embassy also recommends that U.S. citizens with travel in the near future (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) review their passport needs. If you need a new passport or need to renew a passport, we suggest you make an appointment or apply with sufficient time before your travel. Note that adult citizens renewing their passports might not need an appointment. For more information on the requirements to apply for a passport as well as how to make an appointment, please visit the General Passport Information page in our website.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov or check the Embassy's website.

Tiempo límite para Voto Extranjero en Ausencia

Crunch Time for U.S. Overseas/Absentee Voting

If you have already registered to vote in the U.S., have received your ballot, and have returned it, you can ignore the rest of this email. But first PLEASE forward this email to overseas U.S. citizen friends who may not be enrolled* to receive these emails from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

As discussed extensively at http://www.fvap.gov, which is the one-stop website for every issue related to voting by overseas U.S. voters, there are two basic steps for an overseas/absentee voter:

1) Register to vote and request an absentee ballot: Both tasks can be accomplished by completing the Federal Post Card Application or FPCA and mailing to the listed election official in your U.S. state of residence using the postage-paid envelopes (or review your state's other methods of receiving this form—some will receive by email or fax)

2) Return your completed absentee ballot. If you completed step #1 above, you should be receiving a ballot specific to your voting district either by mail, email, or fax. If you have not received your ballot by the first week in October, we suggest that you contact the election officials in your district to inquire on the status (see extensive contact information for your state on www.FVAP.gov)

- Contact your local election official to determine the status of your ballot. Contact information is available at FVAP.gov.

- When you receive your regular absentee ballot, complete it and return it regardless of when you receive it. Your local election official will ensure that only one of the ballots is counted. All FWABs must be completed, printed, signed, dated, and submitted to your local election official. Check out your state's instructions to determine your state specific instructions, witness requirements for voted ballots, deadlines, and mailing addresses.

If you have requested an absentee ballot from your State but have not received it, you can also vote by using the back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). You may submit the FWAB at any time after you submit your FPCA.

In order to be eligible to use this back-up ballot, you must:

- Be absent from your voting residence;

- Have applied for a regular ballot early enough so the request is received by the appropriate local election official not later than the State deadline or the date that is 30 days before the general election; AND

- Have not received the requested regular absentee ballot from the State.

- Regarding MAILING, the Embassy can accept for mailing all materials that are clearly for voting-related purposes (e.g. addressed to a local election official) and which either use the postage-paid envelope template or have US postage affixed. You can’t go wrong using the provided envelope template (which you can print out on a blank envelope or attach the pertinent information on to an envelope).

Because of transit time and delays in entering the U.S. we recommend that any materials mailed through the Embassy are received by the Embassyat least 2 weeks before the local deadline. If you drop off your voting material at the consular agencies in Acapulco, Ixtapa, Oaxaca or San Miguel de Allende, we ask that the voting material be received by the Agency at least 3 weeks before the U.S. local deadline.

This will allow time for the materials to arrive in the U.S. on time. Americans can also mail their materials directly to local election officials in the U.S. through international mail but must be careful to provide sufficient postage.

Balacera en Tres Marías- 24 de agosto del 2013

At approximately 8 a.m. August 24, two U.S. government employees traveling south of Mexico City in an armored embassy vehicle were attacked by gunfire on a local road in the vicinity of Tres Marias, Morelos. The Government of Mexico has acknowledged that elements of the Federal Police fired on the embassy vehicle and an investigation is ongoing.

American citizens in this area should maintain a heightened sense of alert while the Mexican government investigation into this incident continues. Americans in this area should also monitor local news and information to stay informed about situations that could affect their security.

Huracán Ernesto- 8 de agosto del 2012

This message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) states that Hurricane Ernesto, though presently weakening over the Yucatan peninsula, could strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico (Bay of Campeche) and make landfall in Veracruz on Thursday with hurricane force winds. The NHC has issued a hurricane warning for the coast of Mexico from Barra de Nautlato to Coatzacoalos in the state of Veracruz, with tropical storm warning for other parts of Mexico’s Gulf Coast. In addition to danger from wind, flash floods and mudslides are possible. Coastal areas are especially vulnerable to these hazards. Please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ to follow the storm’s path.

The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor Hurricane Ernesto and will issue updated messages as necessary. U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S. passport, birth certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in safe, waterproof locations. We also suggest that U.S. citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts.

Updated information on travel in Mexico may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the U.S. Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. Consular Agency. The Embassy is located at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuautehmoc, Mexico City; telephone from within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000 and from the U.S. 011-52-55-5080-2000; after hours emergency telephone from Mexico 01-55-5080-2000 extension 0 and from the U.S. 011-52-55-5080-2000 extension 0 and; ACS unit e-mail is acsmexicocity@state.gov; and web page is http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/citizen_services.html.

Asaltos en parques y bosques cerca de la Ciudad de México

On July 13, a church group of approximately 90 youths was attacked in a popular, though secluded hiking area, on the eastern outskirts of Mexico City. The victims were beaten, robbed, and some female minors were raped during the incident. A similar robbery and rape attack occurred in February 2012 in the same region. Other high profile criminal incidents have occurred in parks and forests near D.F. over the last few years.

In response to Friday’s events, the Mexican Government has increased police vigilance and security measures available to protect parks and camping areas. Seventeen individuals have been arrested in association with the church group attack, with 11 assailants having been fully identified by their victims. The investigation continues.

Mensaje de Votación del Día de Independencia

A July 4th Voting Reminder

Happy 4th of July! U.S. citizens around the globe will soon mark the 236th anniversary of our Nation’s Independence Day with family and community gatherings, food, and fireworks. For U.S. citizens living outside the United States, the 4th of July is an opportunity for all of us, regardless of political affiliation, to celebrate our shared values as citizens of the United States of America.

Have a say in our country’s future. One of our most treasured values is the right and the privilege to vote – to participate actively in our country’s democratic process. This November, U.S. citizens will elect a President, a Vice President, one-third of the Senate, and the entire House of Representatives. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City encourages all U.S. citizens to participate in this year’s elections, and stands ready to help you vote.

Almost all overseas U.S. citizens can vote. Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia now allow adult children who have never resided in the United States to vote using their parents’ state of voting residence. Details are available on the FVAP website at http://www.fvap.gov/reference/nvr-res.html.

Register and request a ballot. To vote, new laws require you to complete and submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) this calendar year. The FPCA allows you to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. If you haven’t yet done so, we urge you to do so now. The easiest way to complete it is online at www.FVAP.gov. Depending on your State’s rules, you then send it to your local election officials electronically or by mail.

Mailing guidance. Print out the completed FPCA and the (U.S.) postage-paid envelope containing the address of your local election officials. You can drop off the postage-paid envelope (containing your FPCA) at the Embassy, and we will mail it back home for you without the need to pay international postage. If it’s easier for you to use Mexico’s postal system, be sure to affix sufficient international postage and allow sufficient time for international mail delivery.

If you would like to mail your forms and ballots to the United States through the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, you may drop them off with us during regular business hours (8:30am – 4:30pm). Our address is Paseo de la Reforma 305, Col. Cuauhtémoc, Mexico D.F.. If you are in Guanajuato, Guerrero or Oaxaca you can also drop off your forms and ballots in person at the consular agencies in San Miguel de Allende, Ixtapa, Acapulco, or Oaxaca. You can find the address and contact information of these agencies here. In each case, please allow plenty of time for delivery as mail sent by us to the United States must first be sent to Texas where it is then deposited as standard U.S. mail. If you are dropping off your forms or ballots at the Embassy, please do so at least two weeks before the deadline. If dropping of your forms or ballots at one of the four consular agencies mentioned above, please do so at least three weeks before the deadline. U.S. citizens in other areas of Mexico should seek assistance from the U.S. consulates or consular agencies located throughout the country. Click on the following to find a directory of the consulates and consular agencies.

Make your vote count! Follow your State’s absentee voting procedures carefully. Send in your FPCA before the registration deadline. When you get your ballot, vote and mail it promptly so it reaches local election officials by your State’s absentee ballot receipt deadline.

Huracán Carlota- 15 de junio del 2012

Huracán Carlota- 15 de junio del 2012

This emergency message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico that the National Hurricane Center (NHC - www.nhc.noaa.gov) has issued a warning for Hurricane Carlotta, which is currently located in the Pacific Ocean south of Oaxaca.

The National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Carlotta is a Category 1 hurricane and is moving toward the northwest. The center of Carlotta should move near or over the coast of southern Mexico late tonight and Saturday. A hurricane warning is in effect for the Pacific Coast of Mexico from Punta Maldonado in southern Guerrero state to Acapulco, Guerrero; a hurricane watch is in effect for the Pacific Coast of Mexico west of Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana, Guerrero. More information from NHC can be obtained at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml?#CARLOTTA.

The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor Hurricane Carlotta’s track, and will issue updated messages as needed. U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all time (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in safe, waterproof locations. We also suggest that U.S. citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts.

Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found on our “Hurricane Season-Know Before You Go” webpage, and on the “Natural Disasters” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. Updated information on travel in the Mexico may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the U.S. Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

Posibilidad de Revancha a raíz de arrestos de TCO

The U.S. Embassy alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing in Mexico to the enhanced potential for violence related to today’s arrests of Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) associates and family members residing in the United States.

This morning, U.S. federal law enforcement agents arrested associates and family members of a senior TCO member, and seized property and assets within the United States.These arrests could result in some form of retaliation and/or anti-American violence. Given the history and resources of this violent TCO, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to maintain a low profile and a heightened sense of awareness.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

Operaciones Normales tras Sismo

Despite a brief evacuation immediately following the earthquake and aftershocks, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and its Consular Agencies in Acapulco, Ixtapa, Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende are all operating as normal. Any Americans needing assistance should contact the nearest facility using the information below

The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

Forma para Cumplimiento de Pago de Impuestos en el Extranjero

Message From the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts Reports (FBAR) FILING DEADLINE is June 30, 2012.

Unlike tax filings which must be postmarked by the due date, the FBAR must be RECEIVED by the Department of Treasury (PO Box 32621, Detroit, MI 48232-0621) on or before the due date.

For the FBAR, there are no filing extensions available, and the potential of significant penalties exists for noncompliance with reporting requirements. There may be confusion about filing the new form required by the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), Form 8938, and/or the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), TD F 90-22.1. Some are required to file both.

A comparison chart that summarizes the distinctions between the two forms and provides guidance on who may have to file an FBAR, a Form 8938, or both, can be found at: http://www.irs.gov/Forms-&-Pubs

Mensaje para Votantes

Please view Ambassador Wayne's voting message to US Citizens living abroad in Mexico.

Información Específica por País, México- 21 de junio del 2013

Información Específica por País, México- 21 de junio del 2013

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Mexico is a Spanish-speaking country about three times the size of Texas, consisting of 31 states and one federal district. The capital is Mexico City. Mexico has a rapidly developing economy, ranked by the International Monetary Fund as the fourteenth largest in the world. The climate ranges from tropical to arid, and the terrain consists of coastal lowlands, central high plateaus, deserts and mountains of up to 18,000 feet.

Many cities throughout Mexico are popular tourist destinations for U.S. citizens. Travelers should note that location-specific information contained below is not confined solely to those cities, but can reflect conditions throughout Mexico. Although the majority of visitors to Mexico thoroughly enjoy their stay, a small number experience difficulties and serious inconveniences.

Alerta Global- 24 de enero del 2013

The Department of State has issued this Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated July 26, 2011, to provide updated information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide.